Hosea 11

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

As the morning passeth, so hath the king of Israel Israel was a child, and I loved him: and I called my son out of Egypt.

2 The more they called them, the more they went from them; they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and offered to graven images.

As they called them, they went away from before their face: they offered victims to Baalim, and sacrificed to idols.

3 And I, I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

And I was like a foster father to Ephraim, I carried them in my arms: and they knew not that I healed them.

4 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 fed them gently.

I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love: and I will be to them as one that taketh off the yoke on their jaws: and I put his meat to him that he might eat.

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

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king: because they would not be converted.

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

The sword hath begun in his cities, and it shall consume his chosen men, and shall devour their heads.

7 And My people are in suspense about returning to Me; and though they call them upwards, none at all will lift himself up.

And my people shall long for my return: but a yoke shall be put upon them together, which shall not be taken off.

8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I surrender thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is turned within Me, My compassions are kindled together.

How shall I deal with thee, O Ephraim, shall I protect thee, O Israel? how shall I make thee as Adama, shall I set thee as Seboim? my heart is turned within me, my repentance is stirred up.

9 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 come in fury.

I will not execute the fierceness of my wrath: I will not return to destroy Ephraim: because I am God, and not man: the holy one in the midst of thee, and I will not enter into the city.

10 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.

They shall walk after the Lord, he shall roar as a lion: because he shall roar, and the children of the sea shall fear.

11 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.

And they shall fly away like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will place them in their own houses, saith the Lord.

12 Ephraim compasseth Me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; and Judah is yet wayward towards God, and towards the Holy One who is faithful.

Ephraim hath compassed me about with denials, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Juda went down as a witness with God, and is faithful with the saints.