Hosea 11

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

When Israel was yet young, then I loved him, and out of Egypt did I call my son.

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

The [prophets] called them; but the more they went from them: unto the Be'alim would they sacrifice, and to the graven images would they burn incense.

3 Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them.

Yet I myself appointed a leader for Ephraim, who took them up in his arms; but they would not acknowledge that I healed 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.

With human cords I ever drew them forward, with leading-strings of love: and I was to them as those that lift off the yoke from their jaws, and I held out unto them food.

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

He should not return unto the land of Egypt: yet [now] is the Assyrian his king; because they refused to repent.

6 The 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 fall on his cities, and shall make an end of his boughs, and consume them, because of their [evil] counsels.

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

For my people are only bent on backsliding from me; and though upward they call them, they altogether will not elevate themselves.

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 surrender thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I change thee as Zeboyim? turned is my heart within me, all my compassion is enkindled together.

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 the fierceness of my anger, I will not again destroy Ephraim; for God am I, and not man, the Holy One in the midst of thee, and I will not come with an enemy's hatred.

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 shall follow after the Lord, when he will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children shall hasten together 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 shall hasten together as birds out of Egypt, and as doves out of the land of Assyria: and I will cause them to dwell in their houses, saith the Lord.

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.

With lies hath Ephraim encompassed me about, and with deceit, the house of Israel; but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful to the Holy One.