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, I loved him, And called 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.

But they turned away from those that called them. They sacrificed to images of Baal; They burned incense to idols.

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.

I helped Ephraim to go, Yea, I took them up in my arms; Yet they marked not 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 human cords, with bands of love; I was to them as those who lift up the yoke from their jaws; I dealt gently with them, and gave them food.

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 no more go down to Egypt; For the Assyrian shall be their king, Because they refuse to return to me.

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

The sword shall fall upon their cities, It shall consume their bars, and devour Because of their devices.

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

For my people persevere in turning away from me; Though they are called to the Most High, None 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 abandon thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is changed within me; Yea, my compassion is kindled.

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 mine anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in the midst of thee, And I will not come in anger.

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, when he shall roar like a lion, When he shall roar, then shall their sons hasten 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 hasten as a bird from Egypt, And as a dove from the land of Assyria, And I will place them in their houses, saith 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 compasseth me about with falsehood, And the house of Israel with deceit; Judah also is inconstant toward God, Toward the holy and faithful one.