Hosea 11

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

When Israel was young, then I began to love 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.

The more I called them, the further they went away from me. They kept sacrificing to Baals and making offerings to idols.

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

Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them up in my arms, but they did not know 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.

With humane cords I ever drew them, with bands of love. I was to them as one who lifts up the yoke from off their jaws, and bending toward them, I gave them food to eat.

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

No! They return to the land of Egypt, Assyria will be their king, for they have refused to return to me.

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

Therefore the swords will whirl in their cities, will devour in their fortresses.

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

For my people are bent in rebellion against me, even if they call on the Most High he will not raise 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 can I give you up, Ephraim! Give you over, Israel! How am I to give you up as Admah! Make you like Zeboim! My heart asserts itself, my sympathies are all aglow.

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 carry into effect the fierceness of my anger, I will not turn to destroy Ephraim, for God am I, and not man, holy in the midst of you, therefore I will not consume.

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 follow after the Lord. Like a lion he will roar, and 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 the birds from Egypt, like doves from the land of Assyria. And I will bring them back to their houses, – 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 has encompassed me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah still wanders with God faithful to the Holy One.