Hosea 11

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

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

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

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

3 And I it was that taught Ephraim to walk, — He took them upon his arms, — but they knew not 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 bands of a man, with cords of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I gently caused them to eat.

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 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king; for they refused to return [to me];

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

6 and the sword shall turn about in his cities, and shall consume his bars, and devour [them], because of their own counsels.

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

7 Yea, my people are bent upon backsliding from me: though they call them to the Most High, none at all exalteth [him].

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

8 How shall I give thee over, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee up, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

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 mine anger, I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God, and not man, — the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not come in anger.

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 shall walk after Jehovah; he shall roar like a lion; when he shall roar, then the children shall hasten 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 shall hasten as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will cause them to dwell in their houses, saith Jehovah.

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 encompasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah yet walketh with God, and with the holy things of truth.

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.”