Hosea 11

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

Just as the morning passes, so has the king of Israel passed by. For Israel was a child and I loved him; and out of Egypt I called my son.

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

They called them, and so they departed before their face. They offered victims to the Baals, and they sacrificed to graven images.

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

And I was like a foster father to Ephraim. I carried them in my arms. And they did not know 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.

I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love. And I will be to them like one who raises the yoke over their jaws. And I will reach down to him so that he may eat.

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

He will not return to the land of Egypt, but Assur himself will be the king over him, because they were not willing to be converted.

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

The sword has begun in his cities, and it will consume his elect and devour their heads.

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 my people will long for my return. But a yoke will be imposed on them together, which will not be taken away.

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 will I provide for you, Ephraim; how will I protect you, Israel? How will I provide for you as for Adam; will I set you like Zeboiim? My heart has changed within me; together with my regret, it has been stirred up.

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 on the fury of my wrath. I will not turn back to utterly destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, the Divine in your midst, and I will not advance upon 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.

They will walk after the Lord; he will roar like a lion. For he himself will roar, and the sons of the sea will dread.

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.

And they will fly like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove from the land of the Assyrians. And I will arrange them in their own 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.

Ephraim has besieged me with denials, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah went down as a witness before God and the holy ones of faith.