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.
Because Israel [is] a youth, and I love him, Out of Egypt I have called for 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.
They have called to them rightly, They have gone from before them, To lords they do sacrifice, And to graven images they make perfume.
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.
And I have caused Ephraim to go on foot, Taking them by their arms, And they have not known that I strengthened 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.
With cords of man I do draw them, With thick cords of love, And I am to them as a raiser up of a yoke on their jaws, And I incline unto him — I feed [him].
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 turneth not back unto the land of Egypt, And Asshur — he [is] his king, For they have refused to return.
6 The sword has begun in his cities, and it will consume his elect and devour their heads.
Grievous hath been the sword in his cities, And it hath ended his bars, and consumed — from 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 hanging in suspense, about My returning, And unto the Most High they do call, Together they exalt not.
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 do I give thee up, O Ephraim? Do I deliver thee up, O Israel? How do I make thee as Admah? Do I set thee as Zeboim? Turned in Me is My heart, kindled together have been My repentings.
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 do not the fierceness of My anger, I turn not back to destroy Ephraim, For God I [am], and not a man. In thy midst the Holy One, and I enter not in enmity,
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.
After Jehovah they go — as a lion He roareth, When He doth roar, then tremble do the sons 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 tremble as a sparrow out of Egypt, And as a dove out of the land of Asshur, And I have caused them to dwell in their own houses, An affirmation of 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.
Compassed Me with feigning hath Ephraim, And with deceit the house of Israel. And Judah again is ruling with God, And with the Holy Ones [is] faithful!
