Hosea 11

1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

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

2 As I called them, the farther they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved images.

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

3 Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them in my arms; but they did not know that I healed 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 drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed 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 "They won't return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent.

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 will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.

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

7 My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won't exalt them.

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 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 Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.

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 will not execute the fierceness of my anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of you; and I will not come in wrath.

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 will walk after Jehovah, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west.

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 will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses," says Jehovah.

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 surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.

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