Hosea 11

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

Because Israel [is] a youth, and I love him, Out of Egypt I have called for My Son.

2 They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved images.

They have called to them rightly, They have gone from before them, To lords they do sacrifice, And to graven images they make perfume.

3 Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by their arms, but they didn’t know that I healed them.

And I have caused Ephraim to go on foot, Taking them by their arms, And they have not known that I strengthened them.

4 I drew them with cords of a man, with ties of love; and I was to them like those who lift up the yoke on their necks; and I bent down to him and I fed him.

With cords of man I do draw them, With thick cords of love, And I am to them as a raiser up of a yoke on their jaws, And I incline unto him — I feed [him].

5 “They won’t return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian will be their king, because they refused to repent.

He turneth not back unto the land of Egypt, And Asshur — he [is] his king, For they have refused to return.

6 The sword will fall on their cities, and will destroy the bars of their gates, and will put an end to their plans.

Grievous hath been the sword in his cities, And it hath ended his bars, and consumed — from their own counsels.

7 My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won’t exalt them.

And My people are hanging in suspense, about My returning, And unto the Most High they do call, Together they exalt not.

8 “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 Zeboiim? My heart is turned within me, my compassion is aroused.

How do I give thee up, O Ephraim? Do I deliver thee up, O Israel? How do I make thee as Admah? Do I set thee as Zeboim? Turned in Me is My heart, kindled together have been My repentings.

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 among you. I will not come in wrath.

I do not the fierceness of My anger, I turn not back to destroy Ephraim, For God I [am], and not a man. In thy midst the Holy One, and I enter not in enmity,

10 They will walk after Yahweh, who will roar like a lion; for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west.

After Jehovah they go — as a lion He roareth, When He doth roar, then tremble do the sons from the west.

11 They will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses,” says Yahweh.

They tremble as a sparrow out of Egypt, And as a dove out of the land of Asshur, And I have caused them to dwell in their own houses, An affirmation of Jehovah.

12 Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. Judah still strays from God, and is unfaithful to the Holy One.

Compassed Me with feigning hath Ephraim, And with deceit the house of Israel. And Judah again is ruling with God, And with the Holy Ones [is] faithful!