Hosea 11

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

I loved Israel when he was a child. He's my son I called out of Egypt.

2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed to Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed to the Baals and offered incense to idols.

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

I myself taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the hand, but they didn't realize I was the one 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 laid meat to them.

I led them along with cords of kindness, with ropes of love. I was the one who eased their burden and bent down to feed them.

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

However, because my people refuse to return to me, they will not return to the land of Egypt but Assyria shall be their king.

6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

War will sweep through their cities, putting an end to their boasting and destroying their plans.

7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

My people are hanging on to their apostasy from me. They call him “god on high” but he will not raise them up at all.

8 How shall I give you up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver you, Israel? how shall I make you as Admah? how shall I set you as Zeboim? my heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I let you go, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is breaking; I am full of compassion.

9 I will not execute the fierceness of my anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the middle of you: and I will not enter into the city.

I will not execute the fierceness of my anger, I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God, not a human being. I am the Holy One living among you. I will not enter your cities.

10 They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

The people will follow me, the Lord. He will roar like a lion. When he roars like a lion then his children will come trembling from the west.

11 They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, says the LORD.

Like a flock of frightened birds they will come from Egypt, like doves they will come from Assyria, and I will bring them back home, declares the Lord.

12 Ephraim compasses me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet rules with God, and is faithful with the saints.

Ephraim surrounds me with lies and Israel with deceit, and Judah still wanders with some deity, faithful to some “Holy One.”