Hosea 11

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

“When Israel was a young man I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.

2 But they turned away from those that called them. They sacrificed to images of Baal; They burned incense to idols.

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

3 I helped Ephraim to go, Yea, I took them up in my arms; Yet they marked not that I healed 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 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.

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

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

The sword will fall on their cities and destroy the bars of their gates; it will destroy them because of their own plans.

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

My people are determined to turn away from me. Though they call to the Most High, no one will help them.

8 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.

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 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.

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 shall walk after Jehovah, when he shall roar like a lion, When he shall roar, then shall their sons hasten from the west;

They will follow Yahweh; and he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.

11 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.

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

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.”