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 he was dear to me; and I took my son out of Egypt.

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

When I sent for them, then they went away from me; they made offerings to the Baals, burning perfumes to 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.

But I was guiding Ephraim's footsteps; I took them up in my arms, but they were not conscious that I was ready to make them well.

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 made them come after me with the cords of a man, with the bands of love; I was to them as one who took the yoke from off their mouths, putting meat 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.

He will go back to the land of Egypt and the Assyrian will be his king, because they would not come back to me.

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

And the sword will go through his towns, wasting his children and causing destruction because of their evil designs.

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

My people are given up to sinning against me; though their voice goes up on high, no one will be lifting them up.

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 may I give you up, O Ephraim? how may I be your saviour, O Israel? how may I make you like Admah? how may I do to you as I did to Zeboim? My heart is turned in me, it is soft with pity.

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 put into effect the heat of my wrath; I will not again send destruction on Ephraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not put an end to you.

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 will go after the Lord; his cry will be like that of a lion; his cry will be loud, and the children will come from the west, shaking with fear;

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.

Shaking with fear like a bird, they will come out of Egypt, like a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will give them rest in their houses, says the Lord.

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.

The deceit of Ephraim and the false words of Israel are about me on every side. ...