Hosea 11

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

“Before the Israeli [people] became a nation [MET], I loved them [like a man loves] his son, and I called them out of Egypt.

2 They invited them, —at once, they departed from before me, they, to the Baals, sacrificed, and, to the images, offered incense.

But while I continued to call them, they [continued to] turn away from me more and more. They offered sacrifices to their statues of Baal, and they burned incense to [honor] them.

3 Yet, I, had taught Ephraim to walk, I used to take them upon mine arms, —But they acknowledged not that I had healed them.

[The people of] Israel were [like a little boy] [MET], and [it was as though] it was I who taught them to walk, holding them by their hands. But they did not realize that it was I who was taking care of them.

4 With human cords, used I to draw them, with the bands of love, so became I unto them like those who remove the yoke [that was] on their jaws, —and, holding out [food] to him, I let him eat.

[It was as though I fastened] ropes [around them] to lead them, while I loved them and was kind to them. [It was as though they were young oxen] [MET], and I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.

5 He was not to turn back into the land of Egypt, Howbeit, the Assyrian—he, became his king, for they refused to turn.

But the people of Israel will become [slaves] again, like they were in Egypt, and [the people of] Assyria will [RHQ] rule over them, because the people of Israel refused to repent.

6 Therefore shall the sword, rage, in his cities, and make an end of his multitudes, and consume them, —because of their counsels.

[Their enemies] will use their swords [to attack] the cities in Israel and will destroy the bars in the gates [of the city walls]. [As a result], the people of Israeli will not be able to accomplish the things that they planned to do.

7 But, my people, are bent towards turning from me, though upwards they call them, none of them can lift them.

My people are determined to (turn away from/abandon) me. They say that I am the great all-powerful God, but they do not honor me at all.

8 How can I give thee up, Ephraim? abandon thee Israel? How can I make thee as Admah? set thee as Zeboim? Mine own heart, turneth against me, at once, are kindled my compassions.

[You people of] Israel, I certainly do not want to [RHQ] abandon you and allow [your enemies] to capture you. I do not [RHQ] want to act toward you like I acted toward Admah and Zeboiim, [cities that I completely destroyed when I destroyed Sodom]. I [SYN] have changed my mind [about punishing you]; my desire to pity you has increased.

9 I cannot execute the glow of mine anger, I cannot turn to destroy Ephraim, —for, GOD, am, I, and not man, When thou drawest near, [I am] a Holy One, though I do not enter a city.

Although I am extremely angry, I do not want to punish you severely; I do not want to (devastate/completely ruin) Israel. [Humans would easily decide to do that], but I am God, not a human. I, the Holy One, am with you; although I am very angry [with you], I will not [destroy you].

10 After Yahweh, let them go, Like a lion, will he roar, —When, he, shall roar, then let sons, come trembling, out of the West.

You will follow me when I roar like [SIM] a lion; when I roar, [some of you] my children will tremble as you return [to Israel] from [the islands and seacoasts toward] the west.

11 Let them come trembling like a small bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria, —so will I cause them to dwell by their own houses, Declareth Yahweh.

[Some of] you will come swiftly from Egypt like [a flock of] birds; [others] will return from Assyria, like doves. I will enable you to live in your homes [in Israel] again. [That will surely happen, because I], Yahweh, have said it.”

12 They have compassed me about—with denial, Ephraim, with deceit, the house of Israel, —but, Judah, hath, again and again, run riot with GOD, though, with the holy places, entrusted.

[Yahweh says, “The people of] Israel have (surrounded me with lies/constantly told lies to me). And the people of Judah have [also] turned/rebelled against me, their God, the Holy One who always does what I promise to do, and the people of Judah worship other gods.”