Hosea 11

1 Just as the morning passes, so has the king of Israel passed by. For Israel was a child and I loved him; and out of Egypt I called my son.

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

2 They called them, and so they departed before their face. They offered victims to the Baals, and they sacrificed to graven images.

The more the prophets called them, the more they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

3 And I was like a foster father to Ephraim. I carried them in my arms. And they did not know that I healed them.

Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them on my arms, but they did not know that I healed them.

4 I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love. And I will be to them like one who raises the yoke over their jaws. And I will reach down to him so that he may eat.

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who lift up the yoke on their jaws. And I laid food before them.

5 He will not return to the land of Egypt, but Assur himself will be the king over him, because they were not willing to be converted.

They shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to return to me.

6 The sword has begun in his cities, and it will consume his elect and devour their heads.

And the sword shall fall upon their cities, and shall consume their bars, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

7 And my people will long for my return. But a yoke will be imposed on them together, which will not be taken away.

And my people are bent on backsliding from me. Though they call them to him who is on high, none at all will exalt him.

8 How will I provide for you, Ephraim; how will I protect you, Israel? How will I provide for you as for Adam; will I set you like Zeboiim? My heart has changed within me; together with my regret, it has been stirred up.

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I cast thee off, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me. My compassions are kindled together.

9 I will not act on the fury of my wrath. I will not turn back to utterly destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, the Divine in your midst, and I will not advance upon 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 in the midst of thee, and I will not come in wrath.

10 They will walk after the Lord; he will roar like a lion. For he himself will roar, and the sons of the sea will dread.

They shall walk after Jehovah, who will roar like a lion. For he will roar, and the sons shall come trembling from the west.

11 And they will fly like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove from the land of the Assyrians. And I will arrange them in their own houses, says the Lord.

They shall come trembling as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria. And I will make them to dwell in their houses, says Jehovah.

12 Ephraim has besieged me with denials, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah went down as a witness before God and the holy ones of faith.

Ephraim encompasses me around with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit, but Judah yet rules with God, and is faithful with the Holy One.