Hosea 11

¹“When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

²They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved images.As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

³Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by his arms; but they didn’t know that I healed them.I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

⁴I 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 drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

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

⁶The sword will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

⁷My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won’t exalt them.And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

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 shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

⁹I 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 in your midst; and I will not come in wrath.I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

¹⁰They will walk after Yahweh, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west.They shall walk after the Lord: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

¹¹They 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 Yahweh.They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the Lord.

¹²Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.