< 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, then 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.
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baals, and burned incense to graven 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.
And I it was that taught Ephraim to walk, — He took them upon his arms, — but they knew not that I 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 drew them with bands of a man, with cords of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I gently caused them to eat.
5 He turneth not back unto the land of Egypt, And Asshur — he [is] his king, For they have refused to return.
He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king; for they refused to return [to me];
6 Grievous hath been the sword in his cities, And it hath ended his bars, and consumed — from their own counsels.
and the sword shall turn about in his cities, and shall consume his bars, and devour [them], because of their own counsels.
7 And My people are hanging in suspense, about My returning, And unto the Most High they do call, Together they exalt not.
Yea, my people are bent upon backsliding from me: though they call them to the Most High, none at all exalteth [him].
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 shall I give thee over, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee up, 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.
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 fierceness of mine anger, I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God, and not man, — the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not come in anger.
10 After Jehovah they go — as a lion He roareth, When He doth roar, then tremble do the sons from the west.
They shall walk after Jehovah; he shall roar like a lion; when he shall roar, then the children shall hasten 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 shall hasten as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will cause them to dwell in their houses, saith Jehovah.
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 encompasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah yet walketh with God, and with the holy things of truth.

< Hosea 11 >