Hosea 11

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

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

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

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 does not return to the land of Egypt, And Asshur—he [is] his king, For they have 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 The sword has been grievous in his cities, And it has ended his bars, and consumed—from 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 hanging in suspense about My returning, And to the Most High they call, Together they do not exalt.

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

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

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 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.

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 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!”

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.