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 young man I loved him, and I 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.

The more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and 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.

Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk. It was I who lifted them up by their arms, but they did not know that I cared for 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 with cords of humanity, with bands of love. I was to them like someone who eased the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.

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

Will they not return to the land of Egypt? Will Assyria not rule over them 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 will fall on their cities and destroy the bars of their gates; it will destroy them because of their own 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 determined to turn away from me. Though they call to the Most High, no one will help them.

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 hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart has changed within me; all my compassions have 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 execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not a man; I am the Holy One among you, and I will not come in wrath.

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

They will follow Yahweh; and he will roar like a lion. When he roars, 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.

They will come trembling like a bird from Egypt, like a dove from the land of Assyria. I will make them live in their homes—this is the declaration of Yahweh.

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 falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah is still going about with me, God, and is faithful to me, the Holy One.”