Hosea 11

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

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

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

3 And I have caused Ephraim to go on foot, Taking them by their arms, And they have not known that I strengthened 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 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 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 does not return to the land of Egypt, And Asshur—he [is] his king, For they have 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 The sword has been grievous in his cities, And it has ended his bars, and consumed—from their own counsels.

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

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

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

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 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.

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