< Hosea 11 >
1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.
當以色列尚在童年時,我就愛了他;從在埃及時,我就召他為我的兒子。
2 The more they called them, the more they went from them; they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and offered to graven images.
可是我越呼喚他們,他們越遠離我,去給巴耳獻祭,向偶像進香。
3 And I, I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
是我教了厄弗辣因邁步,雙臂抱了他們,但他們卻不理會是我照顧了他們。
4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I fed them gently.
是我用仁慈的繩索,用愛情的帶子牽著他們,對他們有如高舉嬰兒到自己面頰的慈親,俯身喂養他們。
5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
他們卻要返回埃及埃及,要亞述作他們的君王,因為他們拒絕歸依我。
6 And the sword shall fall upon his cities, and shall consume his bars, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
刀劍必要在他們的城中橫行,殺絕他們的子女,在他們的堡壘中吞噬他們。
7 And My people are in suspense about returning to Me; and though they call them upwards, none at all will lift himself up.
我的百姓因著自己的叛逆使我厭煩了;為此上主給他們指定了應負的重軛,因為衪已不再憐惜他們。
8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I surrender thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is turned within Me, My compassions are kindled together.
厄弗辣因! 我怎能捨棄你﹖以色列! 我怎能拋掉你。我怎能仗你如同阿德瑪,待你如同責波殷﹖我的心已轉變,我的五內已感動;
9 I will not execute the fierceness of Mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim; for I am God, and not man, the Holy One in the midst of thee; and I will not come in fury.
我不再按卜憤怒行事,不再毀滅厄弗辣因,因為我是天主而不是人,是在你們中間的聖言,而不是伏於城門的仇敵。
10 They shall walk after the LORD, who shall roar like a lion; for He shall roar, and the children shall come trembling from the west.
的確,他們必要追隨上主,衪要像獅子吼叫;衪一吼叫,衪的子女便要從西方急速歸來,猶如飛鳥由埃及急速飛來,
11 They shall come trembling as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will make them to dwell in their houses, saith the LORD.
猶如鴿子從亞述飛來;我要使他們安居在他們家中──上主的斷語。
12 Ephraim compasseth Me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; and Judah is yet wayward towards God, and towards the Holy One who is faithful.
厄弗辣因用,以色列家以詭詐欺騙了我;猶大對天主也是不忠實的證人,他只知忠於迷惑他的人。