Hosea 11

1 Just as the morning passes, so has the king of Israel passed by. For Israel was a child and I loved him; and out of Egypt I called my son.

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

2 They called them, and so they departed before their face. They offered victims to the Baals, and they sacrificed to graven images.

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

3 And I was like a foster father to Ephraim. I carried them in my arms. And they did not know that I healed them.

Yet I taught Ephraim to go; I took them on my arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

4 I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love. And I will be to them like one who raises the yoke over their jaws. And I will reach down to him so that he may eat.

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 before them.

5 He will not return to the land of Egypt, but Assur himself will be the king over him, because they were not willing to be converted.

He shall not return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.

6 The sword has begun in his cities, and it will consume his elect and devour their heads.

And the sword shall fall upon his cities, and shall consume his bars, and devour [them], because of their own counsels.

7 And my people will long for my return. But a yoke will be imposed on them together, which will not be taken away.

And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they call them to [him that is] on high, none at all will exalt [him].

8 How will I provide for you, Ephraim; how will I protect you, Israel? How will I provide for you as for Adam; will I set you like Zeboiim? My heart has changed within me; together with my regret, it has been stirred up.

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 compassions are kindled together.

9 I will not act on the fury of my wrath. I will not turn back to utterly destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, the Divine in your midst, and I will not advance upon the city.

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.

10 They will walk after the Lord; he will roar like a lion. For he himself will roar, and the sons of the sea will dread.

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

11 And they will fly like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove from the land of the Assyrians. And I will arrange them in their own houses, says the Lord.

They shall come trembling as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will make them to dwell in their houses, saith the LORD.

12 Ephraim has besieged me with denials, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah went down as a witness before God and the holy ones of faith.

Ephraim compasseth me about with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the Holy One.