Hosea 11

1 When Israel was young, then I began to love him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

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

2 The more I called them, the further they went away from me. They kept sacrificing to Baals and making offerings to idols.

The more the prophets called them, the more they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them up in my arms, but they did not know that I healed them.

Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them on my arms, but they did not know that I healed them.

4 With humane cords I ever drew them, with bands of love. I was to them as one who lifts up the yoke from off their jaws, and bending toward them, I gave them food to eat.

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love, and I was to them as those who lift up the yoke on their jaws. And I laid food before them.

5 No! They return to the land of Egypt, Assyria will be their king, for they have refused to return to me.

They shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to return to me.

6 Therefore the swords will whirl in their cities, will devour in their fortresses.

And the sword shall fall upon their cities, and shall consume their bars, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

7 For my people are bent in rebellion against me, even if they call on the Most High he will not raise them.

And my people are bent on backsliding from me. Though they call them to him who is on high, none at all will exalt him.

8 How can I give you up, Ephraim! Give you over, Israel! How am I to give you up as Admah! Make you like Zeboim! My heart asserts itself, my sympathies are all aglow.

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I cast thee off, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me. My compassions are kindled together.

9 I will not carry into effect the fierceness of my anger, I will not turn to destroy Ephraim, for God am I, and not man, holy in the midst of you, therefore I will not consume.

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 thee, and I will not come in wrath.

10 They will follow after the Lord. Like a lion he will roar, and when he roars his children will come trembling from the west.

They shall walk after Jehovah, who will roar like a lion. For he will roar, and the sons shall come trembling from the west.

11 They will come trembling like the birds from Egypt, like doves from the land of Assyria. And I will bring them back to their houses, – declares the Lord.

They shall come trembling as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria. And I will make them to dwell in their houses, says Jehovah.

12 Ephraim has encompassed me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah still wanders with God faithful to the Holy One.

Ephraim encompasses me around with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit, but Judah yet rules with God, and is faithful with the Holy One.