Hosea 11

1 When Israel was a childe, then I loued him, and called my sonne out of Egypt.

When Israel was a child he was dear to me; and I took my son out of Egypt.

2 They called them, but they went thus from them: they sacrificed vnto Baalim, and burnt incense to images.

When I sent for them, then they went away from me; they made offerings to the Baals, burning perfumes to images.

3 I ledde Ephraim also, as one shoulde beare them in his armes: but they knewe not that I healed them.

But I was guiding Ephraim's footsteps; I took them up in my arms, but they were not conscious that I was ready to make them well.

4 I led them with cordes of a man, euen with bandes of loue, and I was to them, as hee that taketh off the yoke from their iawes, and I laide the meat vnto them.

I made them come after me with the cords of a man, with the bands of love; I was to them as one who took the yoke from off their mouths, putting meat before them.

5 He shall no more returne into the lande of Egypt: but Asshur shalbe his King, because they refused to conuert.

He will go back to the land of Egypt and the Assyrian will be his king, because they would not come back to me.

6 And the sworde shall fall on his cities, and shall consume his barres, and deuoure them, because of their owne counsels.

And the sword will go through his towns, wasting his children and causing destruction because of their evil designs.

7 And my people are bent to rebellion against me: though they called them to the most hie, yet none at all would exalt him.

My people are given up to sinning against me; though their voice goes up on high, no one will be lifting them up.

8 Howe shall I giue thee vp, Ephraim? howe shall I deliuer thee, Israel? how shall I make thee, as Admah? howe shall I set thee, as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within mee: my repentings are rouled together.

How may I give you up, O Ephraim? how may I be your saviour, O Israel? how may I make you like Admah? how may I do to you as I did to Zeboim? My heart is turned in me, it is soft with pity.

9 I wil not execute ye fiercenesse of my wrath: I will not returne to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man, the holy one in the middes of thee, and I will not enter into the citie.

I will not put into effect the heat of my wrath; I will not again send destruction on Ephraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not put an end to you.

10 They shall walke after the Lord: he shall roare like a lyon: when hee shall roare, then the children of the West shall feare.

They will go after the Lord; his cry will be like that of a lion; his cry will be loud, and the children will come from the west, shaking with fear;

11 They shall feare as a sparrow out of Egypt, and as a doue of the lande of Asshur, and I will place them in their houses, sayth the Lord.

Shaking with fear like a bird, they will come out of Egypt, like a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will give them rest in their houses, says the Lord.

12 Ephraim copasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Iudah yet ruleth with God, and is faithfull with the Saints.

The deceit of Ephraim and the false words of Israel are about me on every side. ...