Hosea 11

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

As the morning passeth, so hath the king of Israel Israel was a child, and I loved him: and I called my son out of Egypt.

2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baals, and burned incense to graven images.

As they called them, they went away from before their face: they offered victims to Baalim, and sacrificed to idols.

3 And I it was that taught Ephraim to walk, — He took them upon his arms, — but they knew not that I healed them.

And I was like a foster father to Ephraim, I carried them in my arms: and they knew not that I healed them.

4 I drew them with bands of a man, with cords of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I gently caused them to eat.

I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love: and I will be to them as one that taketh off the yoke on their jaws: and I put his meat to him that he might eat.

5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king; for they refused to return [to me];

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king: because they would not be converted.

6 and the sword shall turn about in his cities, and shall consume his bars, and devour [them], because of their own counsels.

The sword hath begun in his cities, and it shall consume his chosen men, and shall devour their heads.

7 Yea, my people are bent upon backsliding from me: though they call them to the Most High, none at all exalteth [him].

And my people shall long for my return: but a yoke shall be put upon them together, which shall not be taken off.

8 How shall I give thee over, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee up, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

How shall I deal with thee, O Ephraim, shall I protect thee, O Israel? how shall I make thee as Adama, shall I set thee as Seboim? my heart is turned within me, my repentance is stirred up.

9 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.

I will not execute the fierceness of my wrath: I will not return to destroy Ephraim: because I am God, and not man: the holy one in the midst of thee, and I will not enter into the city.

10 They shall walk after Jehovah; he shall roar like a lion; when he shall roar, then the children shall hasten from the west:

They shall walk after the Lord, he shall roar as a lion: because he shall roar, and the children of the sea shall fear.

11 they shall hasten as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will cause them to dwell in their houses, saith Jehovah.

And they shall fly away like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will place them in their own houses, saith the Lord.

12 Ephraim encompasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah yet walketh with God, and with the holy things of truth.

Ephraim hath compassed me about with denials, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Juda went down as a witness with God, and is faithful with the saints.