Hosea 11

1 I loved Israel when he was a child. He's my son I called out of Egypt.

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

2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed to the Baals and offered incense to idols.

The more they called them, the more they went from them; they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and offered to graven images.

3 I myself taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the hand, but they didn't realize I was the one who healed them.

And I, I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

4 I led them along with cords of kindness, with ropes of love. I was the one who eased their burden and bent down to feed them.

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

5 However, because my people refuse to return to me, they will not return to the land of Egypt but Assyria shall be their king.

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.

6 War will sweep through their cities, putting an end to their boasting and destroying their plans.

And the sword shall fall upon his cities, and shall consume his bars, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

7 My people are hanging on to their apostasy from me. They call him “god on high” but he will not raise them up at all.

And My people are in suspense about returning to Me; and though they call them upwards, none at all will lift himself up.

8 How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I let you go, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is breaking; I am full of compassion.

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I surrender thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is turned within Me, My compassions are kindled together.

9 I will not execute the fierceness of my anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God, not a human being. I am the Holy One living among you. I will not enter your cities.

I will not execute the fierceness of Mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim; for I am God, and not man, the Holy One in the midst of thee; and I will not come in fury.

10 The people will follow me, the Lord. He will roar like a lion. When he roars like a lion then his children will come trembling from the west.

They shall walk after the LORD, who shall roar like a lion; for He shall roar, and the children shall come trembling from the west.

11 Like a flock of frightened birds they will come from Egypt, like doves they will come from Assyria, and I will bring them back home, declares the Lord.

They shall come trembling as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will make them to dwell in their houses, saith the LORD.

12 Ephraim surrounds me with lies and Israel with deceit, and Judah still wanders with some deity, faithful to some “Holy One.”

Ephraim compasseth Me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; and Judah is yet wayward towards God, and towards the Holy One who is faithful.