Hosea 11

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

Just as the morning passes, so has the king of Israel passed by. For Israel was a child and I loved him; and out of Egypt I called my son.

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

They called them, and so they departed before their face. They offered victims to the Baals, and they sacrificed to graven 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.

And I was like a foster father to Ephraim. I carried them in my arms. And they did not know that I healed them.

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 will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love. And I will be to them like one who raises the yoke over their jaws. And I will reach down to him so that he may eat.

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

He will not return to the land of Egypt, but Assur himself will be the king over him, because they were not willing to be converted.

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

The sword has begun in his cities, and it will consume his elect and devour their heads.

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

And my people will long for my return. But a yoke will be imposed on them together, which will not be taken away.

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 will I provide for you, Ephraim; how will I protect you, Israel? How will I provide for you as for Adam; will I set you like Zeboiim? My heart has changed within me; together with my regret, it has been stirred up.

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 act on the fury of my wrath. I will not turn back to utterly destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, the Divine in your midst, and I will not advance upon the city.

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

They will walk after the Lord; he will roar like a lion. For he himself will roar, and the sons of the sea will dread.

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.

And they will fly like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove from the land of the Assyrians. And I will arrange them in their own 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!”

Ephraim has besieged me with denials, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah went down as a witness before God and the holy ones of faith.