Hosea 11

1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.

2 The more they called them, the more they went from them; they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and offered to graven images.

But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.

3 And I, I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them in My arms, but they never realized that it was I who healed them.

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.

I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.

5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.

Will they not return to the land of Egypt and be ruled by Assyria because they refused to repent?

6 And the sword shall fall upon his cities, and shall consume his bars, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

A sword will flash through their cities; it will destroy the bars of their gates and consume them in their own plans.

7 And My people are in suspense about returning to Me; and though they call them upwards, none at all will lift himself up.

My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.

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.

How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!

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.

I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man— the Holy One among you— and I will not come in wrath.

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.

They will walk after the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west.

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.

They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria. Then I will settle them in their homes, declares the LORD.

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.

Ephraim surrounds Me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One.