< Hosea 11 >
1 When Israel was a child, then 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 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baals, and burned incense to graven images.
They have called to them correctly, They have gone from before them, They sacrifice to lords, And make incense to carved images.
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 have caused Ephraim to go on foot, Taking them by their arms, And they have not known that I strengthened 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 draw them with cords of man, With thick cords of love, And I am to them as a raiser up of a yoke on their jaws, And I incline to him—I feed [him].
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 does not return to the land of Egypt, And Asshur—he [is] his king, For they have refused to return.
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 has been grievous in his cities, And it has ended his bars, and consumed—from their own counsels.
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 are hanging in suspense about My returning, And to the Most High they call, Together they do not exalt.
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 do I give you up, O Ephraim? Do I deliver you up, O Israel? How do I make you as Admah? Do I set you as Zeboim? My heart is turned in Me, My sympathy has been kindled together.
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 do not do the fierceness of My anger, I do not turn back to destroy Ephraim, For I [am] God, and not a man—The Holy One in your midst, and I do not enter in enmity.
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 go after YHWH—He roars as a lion, When He roars, then the sons from the west tremble.
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.
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,” A declaration of YHWH.
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 has surrounded Me with feigning, And the house of Israel with deceit. And Judah is again ruling with God, And [is] faithful with the Holy Ones!”