Hosea 11

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

When Israel was yet young, then I loved him, and out of Egypt did I call my son.

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

The [prophets] called them; but the more they went from them: unto the Be'alim would they sacrifice, and to the graven images would they burn incense.

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

Yet I myself appointed a leader for Ephraim, who took them up in his arms; but they would not acknowledge 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 laid meat unto them.

With human cords I ever drew them forward, with leading-strings of love: and I was to them as those that lift off the yoke from their jaws, and I held out unto them food.

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

He should not return unto the land of Egypt: yet [now] is the Assyrian his king; because they refused to repent.

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

And the sword shall fall on his cities, and shall make an end of his boughs, and consume them, because of their [evil] counsels.

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

For my people are only bent on backsliding from me; and though upward they call them, they altogether will not elevate themselves.

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

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I surrender thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I change thee as Zeboyim? turned is my heart within me, all my compassion is enkindled together.

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 enter into the city.

I will not execute the fierceness of my anger, I will not again destroy Ephraim; for God am I, and not man, the Holy One in the midst of thee, and I will not come with an enemy's hatred.

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

They shall follow after the Lord, when he will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children shall hasten together 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, saith Yhwh.

They shall hasten together as birds out of Egypt, and as doves out of the land of Assyria: and I will cause them to dwell in their houses, saith the Lord.

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

With lies hath Ephraim encompassed me about, and with deceit, the house of Israel; but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful to the Holy One.