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 called my son out of Egypt.

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

As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense 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.

I taught Ephraim also to go, 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 laid food unto them.

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, and 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 abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, 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 bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

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 you up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver you, Israel? how shall I make you as Admah? how shall I set you as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings 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 you: and I will not enter into the city.

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: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble 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 tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, says 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 compasses me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet rules with God, and is faithful with the saints.