< Hosea 11 >

1 Because Israel [is] a youth, and I love him, Out of Egypt I have called for My Son.
Early in the morning were they cast off, the king of Israel has been cast off: for Israel is a child, and I loved him, and out of Egypt have I called his children.
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 I called them, so they departed from my presence: they sacrificed to Baalim, and burnt 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.
Yet I bound the feet of Ephraim, I took him on my arm; 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].
When men were destroyed, I drew them with the bands of my love: and I will be to them as a man striking [another] on his cheek: and I will have respect to him, I will prevail with him.
5 He turneth not back unto the land of Egypt, And Asshur — he [is] his king, For they have refused to return.
Ephraim lived in Egypt; and [as for] the Assyrian, he was his king, because he would not return.
6 Grievous hath been the sword in his cities, And it hath ended his bars, and consumed — from their own counsels.
And in his cities he prevailed not with the sword, and he ceased [to war] with his hands: and they shall eat [of the fruit] of their own devices:
7 And My people are hanging in suspense, about My returning, And unto the Most High they do call, Together they exalt not.
and his people [shall] cleave fondly to their habitation; but God shall be angry with his precious things, and shall not at all exalt 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 deal with you, Ephraim? [how] shall I protect you, Israel? what shall I do with you? I will make you as Adama, and as Seboim; my heart is turned at once, my repentance is powerfully excited.
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 act according to the fury of my wrath, I will not abandon Ephraim to be utterly destroyed: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One within you: and I will not enter into the city.
10 After Jehovah they go — as a lion He roareth, When He doth roar, then tremble do the sons from the west.
I will go after the Lord: he shall utter [his voice] as a lion: for he shall roar, and the children of the waters shall be amazed.
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 be amazed [and fly] as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will restore them to their houses, says 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 has compassed me with falsehood, and the house of Israel and Juda with ungodliness: [but] now God knows them, and they shall be called God's holy people.

< Hosea 11 >