Hosea 11

1 “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and 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 They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burnt incense to engraved images.

They have called to them correctly, They have gone from before them, They sacrifice to lords, And make incense to carved images.

3 Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by their arms, but they didn’t know that I healed 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 drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him.

I draw them with cords of man, With thick cords of love, And I am to them as a raiser up of a yoke on their jaws, And I incline to him—I feed [him].

5 “They won’t return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent.

He does not return to 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 will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.

The sword has been grievous in his cities, And it has ended his bars, and consumed—from their own counsels.

7 My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won’t exalt them.

And My people are hanging in suspense about My returning, And to the Most High they call, Together they do not exalt.

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 Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.

How do I give you up, O Ephraim? Do I deliver you up, O Israel? How do I make you as Admah? Do I set you as Zeboim? My heart is turned in Me, My sympathy has been kindled together.

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 amongst you. I will not come in wrath.

I do not do the fierceness of My anger, I do not turn back to destroy Ephraim, For I [am] God, and not a man—The Holy One in your midst, and I do not enter in enmity.

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

They go after YHWH—He roars as a lion, When He roars, then the sons from the west tremble.

11 They will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses,” says the LORD.

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,” A declaration of YHWH.

12 Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.

“Ephraim has surrounded Me with feigning, And the house of Israel with deceit. And Judah is again ruling with God, And [is] faithful with the Holy Ones!”