< Hosea 11 >
1 When Israel was a childe, then I loued him, and called my sonne out of Egypt.
Early in the morning were they cast off, the king of Israel has been cast off: for Israel is a child, and I loved him, and out of Egypt have I called his children.
2 They called them, but they went thus from them: they sacrificed vnto Baalim, and burnt incense to images.
As I called them, so they departed from my presence: they sacrificed to Baalim, and burnt incense to graven images.
3 I ledde Ephraim also, as one shoulde beare them in his armes: but they knewe not that I healed them.
Yet I bound the feet of Ephraim, I took him on my arm; but they knew not that I healed them.
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.
When men were destroyed, I drew them with the bands of my love: and I will be to them as a man smiting [another] on his cheek: and I will have respect to him, I will prevail with him.
5 He shall no more returne into the lande of Egypt: but Asshur shalbe his King, because they refused to conuert.
Ephraim dwelt in Egypt; and [as for] the Assyrian, he was his king, because he would not return.
6 And the sworde shall fall on his cities, and shall consume his barres, and deuoure them, because of their owne counsels.
And in his cities he prevailed not with the sword, and he ceased [to war] with his hands: and they shall eat [of the fruit] of their own devices:
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.
and his people [shall] cleave fondly to their habitation; but God shall be angry with his precious things, and shall not at all exalt him.
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 shall I deal with thee, Ephraim? [how] shall I protect thee, Israel? what shall I do with thee? I will make thee as Adama, and as Seboim; my heart is turned at once, my repentance is powerfully excited.
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 act according to the fury of my wrath, I will not abandon Ephraim to be utterly destroyed: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One within thee: and I will not enter into the city.
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.
I will go after the Lord: he shall utter [his voice] as a lion: for he shall roar, and the children of the waters shall be amazed.
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.
They shall be amazed [and fly] as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will restore them to their houses, saith 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.
Ephraim has compassed me with falsehood, and the house of Israel and Juda with ungodliness: [but] now God knows them, and they shall be called God's holy people.