Hosea 11
1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.
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 The more they called them, the more they went from them; they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and offered to graven images.
As I called them, so they departed from my presence: they sacrificed to Baalim, and burnt incense to graven images.
3 And I, I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they knew 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 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.
When men were destroyed, I drew them with the bands of my love: and I will be to them as a man striking [another] on his cheek: and I will have respect to him, I will prevail with him.
5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
Ephraim lived in Egypt; and [as for] the Assyrian, he was his king, because he would not return.
6 And the sword shall fall upon his cities, and shall consume his bars, and devour them, because of their own 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 in suspense about returning to Me; and though they call them upwards, none at all will lift himself up.
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 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 shall I deal with you, Ephraim? [how] shall I protect you, Israel? what shall I do with you? I will make you as Adama, and as Seboim; my heart is turned at once, my repentance is powerfully excited.
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 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 you: and I will not enter into the city.
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.
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 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 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, says 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 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.
