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, I loved him, And called 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.

But they turned away from those that called them. They sacrificed to images of Baal; They burned 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 helped Ephraim to go, Yea, I took them up in my arms; Yet they marked not 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 drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I was to them as those who lift up the yoke from their jaws; I dealt gently with them, and gave them food.

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

They shall no more go down to Egypt; For the Assyrian shall be their king, Because they refuse to return to me.

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

The sword shall fall upon their cities, It shall consume their bars, and devour Because of their devices.

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 persevere in turning away from me; Though they are called to the Most High, None will exalt him.

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 abandon thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is changed within me; Yea, my compassion is kindled.

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 mine anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in the midst of thee, And I will not come in anger.

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

They shall walk after Jehovah, when he shall roar like a lion, When he shall roar, then shall their sons hasten 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 as a bird from Egypt, And as a dove from the land of Assyria, And I will place them in their houses, saith Jehovah.

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 compasseth me about with falsehood, And the house of Israel with deceit; Judah also is inconstant toward God, Toward the holy and faithful one.