Hosea 11
1 When Israel was a childe, then I loued him, and called my sonne out of Egypt.
When Israel was young, then I began to love him, and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 They called them, but they went thus from them: they sacrificed vnto Baalim, and burnt incense to images.
The more I called them, the further they went away from me. They kept sacrificing to Baals and making offerings to idols.
3 I ledde Ephraim also, as one shoulde beare them in his armes: but they knewe not that I healed them.
Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them up in my arms, but they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led them with cordes of a man, euen with bandes of loue, and I was to them, as hee that taketh off the yoke from their iawes, and I laide the meat vnto them.
With humane cords I ever drew them, with bands of love. I was to them as one who lifts up the yoke from off their jaws, and bending toward them, I gave them food to eat.
5 He shall no more returne into the lande of Egypt: but Asshur shalbe his King, because they refused to conuert.
No! They return to the land of Egypt, Assyria will be their king, for they have refused to return to me.
6 And the sworde shall fall on his cities, and shall consume his barres, and deuoure them, because of their owne counsels.
Therefore the swords will whirl in their cities, will devour in their fortresses.
7 And my people are bent to rebellion against me: though they called them to the most hie, yet none at all would exalt him.
For my people are bent in rebellion against me, even if they call on the Most High he will not raise them.
8 Howe shall I giue thee vp, Ephraim? howe shall I deliuer thee, Israel? how shall I make thee, as Admah? howe shall I set thee, as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within mee: my repentings are rouled together.
How can I give you up, Ephraim! Give you over, Israel! How am I to give you up as Admah! Make you like Zeboim! My heart asserts itself, my sympathies are all aglow.
9 I wil not execute ye fiercenesse of my wrath: I will not returne to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man, the holy one in the middes of thee, and I will not enter into the citie.
I will not carry into effect the fierceness of my anger, I will not turn to destroy Ephraim, for God am I, and not man, holy in the midst of you, therefore I will not consume.
10 They shall walke after the Lord: he shall roare like a lyon: when hee shall roare, then the children of the West shall feare.
They will follow after the Lord. Like a lion he will roar, and when he roars his children will come trembling from the west.
11 They shall feare as a sparrow out of Egypt, and as a doue of the lande of Asshur, and I will place them in their houses, sayth the Lord.
They will come trembling like the birds from Egypt, like doves from the land of Assyria. And I will bring them back to their houses, – declares the Lord.
12 Ephraim copasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Iudah yet ruleth with God, and is faithfull with the Saints.
Ephraim has encompassed me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah still wanders with God faithful to the Holy One.
