Hosea 11

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

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

2 [As] they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed to Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.

3 I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them in My arms, but they never realized that it was I who healed them.

4 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 for them.

I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.

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

Will they not return to the land of Egypt and be ruled by Assyria because they refused to repent?

6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour [them], because of their own counsels.

A sword will flash through their cities; it will destroy the bars of their gates and consume them in their own plans.

7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].

My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.

8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? my heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!

9 I will not execute the fierceness of my 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 enter into the city.

I will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man— the Holy One among you— and I will not come in wrath.

10 They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

They will walk after the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling from the west.

11 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, saith the LORD.

They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria. Then I will settle them in their homes, declares the LORD.

12 Ephraim encompasseth me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.

Ephraim surrounds Me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One.