Hosea 11

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

When Israel was a child he was dear to me; and I took my son out of Egypt.

2 They have called to them correctly, They have gone from before them, They sacrifice to lords, And make incense to carved images.

When I sent for them, then they went away from me; they made offerings to the Baals, burning perfumes to images.

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

But I was guiding Ephraim's footsteps; I took them up in my arms, but they were not conscious that I was ready to make them well.

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

I made them come after me with the cords of a man, with the bands of love; I was to them as one who took the yoke from off their mouths, putting meat before them.

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

He will go back to the land of Egypt and the Assyrian will be his king, because they would not come back to me.

6 The sword has been grievous in his cities, And it has ended his bars, and consumed—from their own counsels.

And the sword will go through his towns, wasting his children and causing destruction because of their evil designs.

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

My people are given up to sinning against me; though their voice goes up on high, no one will be lifting them up.

8 How do I give you up, O Ephraim? Do I deliver you up, O Israel? How do I make you as Admah? Do I set you as Zeboim? My heart is turned in Me, My sympathy has been kindled together.

How may I give you up, O Ephraim? how may I be your saviour, O Israel? how may I make you like Admah? how may I do to you as I did to Zeboim? My heart is turned in me, it is soft with pity.

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

I will not put into effect the heat of my wrath; I will not again send destruction on Ephraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not put an end to you.

10 They go after YHWH—He roars as a lion, When He roars, then the sons from the west tremble.

They will go after the Lord; his cry will be like that of a lion; his cry will be loud, and the children will come from the west, shaking with fear;

11 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,” A declaration of YHWH.

Shaking with fear like a bird, they will come out of Egypt, like a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will give them rest in their houses, says the Lord.

12 “Ephraim has surrounded Me with feigning, And the house of Israel with deceit. And Judah is again ruling with God, And [is] faithful with the Holy Ones!”

The deceit of Ephraim and the false words of Israel are about me on every side. ...