Hosea 11

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

As the morning passeth, so hath the king of Israel Israel was a child, and I loved him: and I called my son 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, they went away from before their face: they offered victims to Baalim, and sacrificed to idols.

3 Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them.

And I was like a foster father to Ephraim, I carried them in my arms: and they knew not that I 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 will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love: and I will be to them as one that taketh off the yoke on their jaws: and I put his meat to him that he might eat.

5 "They won't return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent.

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king: because they would not be converted.

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

The sword hath begun in his cities, and it shall consume his chosen men, and shall devour their heads.

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

And my people shall long for my return: but a yoke shall be put upon them together, which shall not be taken off.

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 shall I deal with thee, O Ephraim, shall I protect thee, O Israel? how shall I make thee as Adama, shall I set thee as Seboim? my heart is turned within me, my repentance is stirred up.

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 wrath: I will not return to destroy Ephraim: because I am God, and not man: the holy one in the midst of thee, and I will not enter into the city.

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

They shall walk after the Lord, he shall roar as a lion: because he shall roar, and the children of the sea shall fear.

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 the LORD.

And they shall fly away like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will place them in their own houses, saith 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 hath compassed me about with denials, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Juda went down as a witness with God, and is faithful with the saints.