Osee 11

1 Early in the morning were they cast off, the king of Israel has been cast off: for Israel is a child, and I loved him, and out of Egypt have I called his children.

“When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

2 As I called them, so they departed from my presence: they sacrificed to Baalim, and burnt incense to graven images.

They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burnt incense to engraved images.

3 Yet I bound the feet of Ephraim, I took him on my arm; but they knew not that I healed them.

Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by their arms, but they didn’t know that I healed them.

4 When men were destroyed, I drew them with the bands of my love: and I will be to them as a man striking [another] on his cheek: and I will have respect to him, I will prevail with him.

I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him.

5 Ephraim lived in Egypt; and [as for] the Assyrian, he was his king, because he would not return.

“They won’t return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent.

6 And in his cities he prevailed not with the sword, and he ceased [to war] with his hands: and they shall eat [of the fruit] of their own devices:

The sword will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.

7 and his people [shall] cleave fondly to their habitation; but God shall be angry with his precious things, and shall not at all exalt him.

My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won’t exalt them.

8 How shall I deal with you, Ephraim? [how] shall I protect you, Israel? what shall I do with you? I will make you as Adama, and as Seboim; my heart is turned at once, my repentance is powerfully excited.

“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.

9 I will not act according to the fury of my wrath, I will not abandon Ephraim to be utterly destroyed: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One within you: and I will not enter into the city.

I will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God, and not man—the Holy One amongst you. I will not come in wrath.

10 I will go after the Lord: he shall utter [his voice] as a lion: for he shall roar, and the children of the waters shall be amazed.

They will walk after the LORD, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west.

11 They shall be amazed [and fly] as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will restore them to their houses, says the Lord.

They will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses,” says the LORD.

12 Ephraim has compassed me with falsehood, and the house of Israel and Juda with ungodliness: [but] now God knows them, and they shall be called God's holy people.

Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.