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 called my son out of Egypt.

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

They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burnt incense to engraved 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.

Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by their arms, but they didn’t know 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 ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him.

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.

“They won’t return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent.

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

The sword will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.

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.

My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won’t exalt them.

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 can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.

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 my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim, for I am God, and not man—the Holy One amongst you. I will not come in wrath.

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 will walk after the LORD, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will 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 will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses,” says 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 surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.