Hosea 11

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

Because Israel [is] a youth, and I love him, Out of Egypt I have called for My Son.

2 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.

They have called to them rightly, They have gone from before them, To lords they do sacrifice, And to graven images they make perfume.

3 Yet I myself appointed a leader for Ephraim, who took them up in his arms; but they would not acknowledge that I healed them.

And I have caused Ephraim to go on foot, Taking them by their arms, And they have not known that I strengthened them.

4 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.

With cords of man I do draw them, With thick cords of love, And I am to them as a raiser up of a yoke on their jaws, And I incline unto him — I feed [him].

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

He turneth not back unto the land of Egypt, And Asshur — he [is] his king, For they have refused to return.

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

Grievous hath been the sword in his cities, And it hath ended his bars, and consumed — from their own counsels.

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

And My people are hanging in suspense, about My returning, And unto the Most High they do call, Together they exalt not.

8 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.

How do I give thee up, O Ephraim? Do I deliver thee up, O Israel? How do I make thee as Admah? Do I set thee as Zeboim? Turned in Me is My heart, kindled together have been My repentings.

9 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.

I do not the fierceness of My anger, I turn not back to destroy Ephraim, For God I [am], and not a man. In thy midst the Holy One, and I enter not in enmity,

10 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;

After Jehovah they go — as a lion He roareth, When He doth roar, then tremble do the sons from the west.

11 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.

They tremble as a sparrow out of Egypt, And as a dove out of the land of Asshur, And I have caused them to dwell in their own houses, An affirmation of Jehovah.

12 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.

Compassed Me with feigning hath Ephraim, And with deceit the house of Israel. And Judah again is ruling with God, And with the Holy Ones [is] faithful!