Osee 11

1 Early in the morning were they cast off, the king of Israel has been cast off: for Israel is a child, and I loved him, and out of Egypt have I called his children.

When Israel was a child he was dear to me; and I took my son out of Egypt.

2 As I called them, so they departed from my presence: they sacrificed to Baalim, and burnt incense to graven images.

When I sent for them, then they went away from me; they made offerings to the Baals, burning perfumes to images.

3 Yet I bound the feet of Ephraim, I took him on my arm; but they knew not that I healed them.

But I was guiding Ephraim's footsteps; I took them up in my arms, but they were not conscious that I was ready to make them well.

4 When men were destroyed, I drew them with the bands of my love: and I will be to them as a man striking [another] on his cheek: and I will have respect to him, I will prevail with him.

I made them come after me with the cords of a man, with the bands of love; I was to them as one who took the yoke from off their mouths, putting meat before them.

5 Ephraim lived in Egypt; and [as for] the Assyrian, he was his king, because he would not return.

He will go back to the land of Egypt and the Assyrian will be his king, because they would not come back to me.

6 And in his cities he prevailed not with the sword, and he ceased [to war] with his hands: and they shall eat [of the fruit] of their own devices:

And the sword will go through his towns, wasting his children and causing destruction because of their evil designs.

7 and his people [shall] cleave fondly to their habitation; but God shall be angry with his precious things, and shall not at all exalt him.

My people are given up to sinning against me; though their voice goes up on high, no one will be lifting them up.

8 How shall I deal with you, Ephraim? [how] shall I protect you, Israel? what shall I do with you? I will make you as Adama, and as Seboim; my heart is turned at once, my repentance is powerfully excited.

How may I give you up, O Ephraim? how may I be your saviour, O Israel? how may I make you like Admah? how may I do to you as I did to Zeboim? My heart is turned in me, it is soft with pity.

9 I will not act according to the fury of my wrath, I will not abandon Ephraim to be utterly destroyed: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One within you: and I will not enter into the city.

I will not put into effect the heat of my wrath; I will not again send destruction on Ephraim; for I am God and not man, the Holy One among you; I will not put an end to you.

10 I will go after the Lord: he shall utter [his voice] as a lion: for he shall roar, and the children of the waters shall be amazed.

They will go after the Lord; his cry will be like that of a lion; his cry will be loud, and the children will come from the west, shaking with fear;

11 They shall be amazed [and fly] as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will restore them to their houses, says the Lord.

Shaking with fear like a bird, they will come out of Egypt, like a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will give them rest in their houses, says the Lord.

12 Ephraim has compassed me with falsehood, and the house of Israel and Juda with ungodliness: [but] now God knows them, and they shall be called God's holy people.

The deceit of Ephraim and the false words of Israel are about me on every side. ...