Hosea 11
1 “When Israel was a young man I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.
Because Israel [is] a youth, and I love him, Out of Egypt I have called for 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.
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. It was I who lifted them up by their arms, but they did not know that I cared for 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 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.
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 Will they not return to the land of Egypt? Will Assyria not rule over them because they refuse 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 The sword will fall on their cities and destroy the bars of their gates; it will destroy them because of their own plans.
Grievous hath been the sword in his cities, And it hath ended his bars, and consumed — from 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 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? 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 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 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 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 Yahweh; and he will roar like a lion. 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 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 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 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.”
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!
