Hosea 11

1 Because Israel [is] a youth, and I love him, Out of Egypt I have called for My Son.

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

2 They have called to them rightly, They have gone from before them, To lords they do sacrifice, And to graven images they make perfume.

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

3 And I have caused Ephraim to go on foot, Taking them by their arms, And they have not known that I strengthened 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 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].

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 turneth not back unto the land of Egypt, And Asshur — he [is] his king, For they have refused to return.

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

6 Grievous hath been the sword in his cities, And it hath ended his bars, and consumed — from 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 hanging in suspense, about My returning, And unto the Most High they do call, Together they exalt not.

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

8 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.

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 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,

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 After Jehovah they go — as a lion He roareth, When He doth roar, then tremble do the sons 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 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.

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 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!

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