Hosea 11

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

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 to the Baals and offered incense to idols.

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 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 have caused Ephraim to go on foot, Taking them by their arms, And they have not known that I strengthened 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.

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 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 turneth not back unto the land of Egypt, And Asshur — he [is] his king, For they have refused to return.

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

Grievous hath been the sword in his cities, And it hath ended his bars, and consumed — from 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 hanging in suspense, about My returning, And unto the Most High they do call, Together they exalt not.

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 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 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 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 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.

After Jehovah they go — as a lion He roareth, When He doth roar, then tremble do the sons 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 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 surrounds me with lies and Israel with deceit, and Judah still wanders with some deity, faithful to some “Holy One.”

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!