Hosea 11

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

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.

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

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

3 I taught Ephraim also to go, 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 did not know 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 laid food before them.

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.

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

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.

6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

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

7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

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

8 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? my heart is turned within me, my compassions are kindled together.

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.

9 I will not execute the fierceness of my 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.

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.

10 They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

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.

11 They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.

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.

12 Ephraim surroundeth me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.

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.