Hosea 11

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

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

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

The more they called them, the more they went from them; they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and offered to graven images.

3 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.

And I, I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

4 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.

I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I fed them gently.

5 Will they not return to the land of Egypt? Will Assyria not rule over them because they refuse to return to me?

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.

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

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

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

And My people are in suspense about returning to Me; and though they call them upwards, none at all will lift himself up.

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 Zeboyim? My heart has changed within me; all my compassions have been stirred up.

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I surrender thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is turned within Me, My compassions are kindled together.

9 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.

I will not execute the fierceness of Mine 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 fury.

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

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

11 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.

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, saith the LORD.

12 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.”

Ephraim compasseth Me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; and Judah is yet wayward towards God, and towards the Holy One who is faithful.