Hosea 11

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

“When Israel was a young man I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.

2 They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved images.

The more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to idols.

3 Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by their arms, but they didn’t know that I healed them.

Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk. It was I who lifted them up by their arms, but they did not know that I cared for them.

4 I 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 led them with cords of humanity, with bands of love. I was to them like someone who eased the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.

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

Will they not return to the land of Egypt? Will Assyria not rule over them because they refuse to return to me?

6 The sword will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.

The sword will fall on their cities and destroy the bars of their gates; it will destroy them because of their own plans.

7 My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won’t exalt them.

My people are determined to turn away from me. Though they call to the Most High, no one will help them.

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 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 Zeboyim? My heart has changed within me; all my compassions have been stirred up.

9 I 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 among you. I will not come in wrath.

I will not execute my fierce anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not a man; I am the Holy One among you, and I will not come in wrath.

10 They will walk after the LORD, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west.

They will follow Yahweh; and he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.

11 They 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 the LORD.

They will come trembling like a bird from Egypt, like a dove from the land of Assyria. I will make them live in their homes—this is the declaration of Yahweh.

12 Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.

Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah is still going about with me, God, and is faithful to me, the Holy One.”