Hosea 11

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

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

2 The more they called them, the more they went from them; they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and offered to graven 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 And I, I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they knew not 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 bands of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I fed them gently.

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.

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.