Hosea 11
1 When Israel was a childe, then I loued him, and called my sonne out of Egypt.
“When Israel was a young man I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.
2 They called them, but they went thus from them: they sacrificed vnto Baalim, and burnt incense to images.
The more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to idols.
3 I ledde Ephraim also, as one shoulde beare them in his armes: but they knewe not that I healed them.
Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk. It was I who lifted them up by their arms, but they did not know that I cared for 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 led them with cords of humanity, with bands of love. I was to them like someone who eased the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.
5 He shall no more returne into the lande of Egypt: but Asshur shalbe his King, because they refused to conuert.
Will they not return to the land of Egypt? Will Assyria not rule over them because they refuse to return to me?
6 And the sworde shall fall on his cities, and shall consume his barres, and deuoure them, because of their owne counsels.
The sword will fall on their cities and destroy the bars of their gates; it will destroy them because of their own plans.
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 determined to turn away from me. Though they call to the Most High, no one will help them.
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 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 Zeboyim? My heart has changed within me; all my compassions have 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 execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not a man; I am the Holy One among you, and I will not come in wrath.
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 follow Yahweh; and he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.
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 will come trembling like a bird from Egypt, like a dove from the land of Assyria. I will make them live in their homes—this is the declaration of Yahweh.
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 surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah is still going about with me, God, and is faithful to me, the Holy One.”
