UHoseya 11
1 UIsrayeli esengumntwana ngamthanda, ngayibiza indodana yami ukuthi iphume eGibhithe.
When Israel was a child, I loved him, And called my son out of Egypt,
2 Kwathi bebabiza, ngokunjalo basuka phambi kwabo; bahlabela oBhali, batshisela izithombe ezibaziweyo impepha.
But they turned away from those that called them. They sacrificed to images of Baal; They burned incense to idols.
3 Mina-ke ngacathulisa uEfrayimi; ngababamba ngezingalo zabo; kodwa kabazanga ukuthi ngibelaphile.
I helped Ephraim to go, Yea, I took them up in my arms; Yet they marked not that I healed them.
4 Ngabadonsa ngamagoda omuntu, ngentambo zothando, ngaba kibo njengalabo abasusa ijogwe ezihlathini zabo, ngakhothama kubo, ngabanika ukudla.
I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I was to them as those who lift up the yoke from their jaws; I dealt gently with them, and gave them food.
5 Kayikubuyela elizweni leGibhithe, kodwa umAsiriya yena uzakuba yinkosi yakhe, ngoba balile ukuphenduka.
They shall no more go down to Egypt; For the Assyrian shall be their king, Because they refuse to return to me.
6 Inkemba izatheleka emizini yakhe, iqede imigoqo yakhe, ibadle, ngenxa yamacebo abo.
The sword shall fall upon their cities, It shall consume their bars, and devour Because of their devices.
7 Njalo abantu bami banamathela ekuhlehleleni muva kimi; lanxa bebabizela koPhezukonke, kakho ngitsho owayengamphakamisa.
For my people persevere in turning away from me; Though they are called to the Most High, None will exalt him.
8 Ngizakunikela njani, Efrayimi? Ngikudele njani, Israyeli? Ngizakwenza njani ube njengeAdima? Ngikubeke njani njengeZeboyimi? Inhliziyo yami isiphendukile phakathi kwami, izihawu zami ziyakhudumala kanyekanye.
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I abandon thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is changed within me; Yea, my compassion is kindled.
9 Kangiyikwenza ukuvutha kolaka lwami; kangiyikubuyela ngichithe uEfrayimi; ngoba nginguNkulunkulu, kangisuye umuntu, oNgcwele phakathi kwakho; kangiyikungena emzini.
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 Bazayilandela iNkosi; izabhonga njengesilwane; lapho yona isibhonga, khona abantwana bazavela entshonalanga beqhaqhazela.
They shall walk after Jehovah, when he shall roar like a lion, When he shall roar, then shall their sons hasten from the west;
11 Bazaqhaqhazela njengenyoni evela eGibhithe, lanjengejuba elivela elizweni leAsiriya; njalo ngizabenza bahlale ezindlini zabo, itsho iNkosi.
They shall hasten as a bird from Egypt, And as a dove from the land of Assyria, And I will place them in their houses, saith Jehovah.
12 UEfrayimi ungizingelezele ngamanga, lendlu kaIsrayeli ngenkohliso; kodwa uJuda usabusa loNkulunkulu, uthembekile kanye labangcwele.
Ephraim compasseth me about with falsehood, And the house of Israel with deceit; Judah also is inconstant toward God, Toward the holy and faithful one.
