Hosea 11

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

Because Israel [is] a youth, and I love him, Out of Egypt I have called for 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.

They have called to them rightly, They have gone from before them, To lords they do sacrifice, And to graven images they make perfume.

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.

And I have caused Ephraim to go on foot, Taking them by their arms, And they have not known that I strengthened 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.

With cords of man I do draw them, With thick cords of love, And I am to them as a raiser up of a yoke on their jaws, And I incline unto him — I feed [him].

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

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

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

Grievous hath been the sword in his cities, And it hath ended his bars, and consumed — from 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 hanging in suspense, about My returning, And unto the Most High they do call, Together they exalt not.

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 do I give thee up, O Ephraim? Do I deliver thee up, O Israel? How do I make thee as Admah? Do I set thee as Zeboim? Turned in Me is My heart, kindled together have been My repentings.

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 do not the fierceness of My anger, I turn not back to destroy Ephraim, For God I [am], and not a man. In thy midst the Holy One, and I enter not in enmity,

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.

After Jehovah they go — as a lion He roareth, When He doth roar, then tremble do the sons 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 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, An affirmation of 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.

Compassed Me with feigning hath Ephraim, And with deceit the house of Israel. And Judah again is ruling with God, And with the Holy Ones [is] faithful!