Hosea 11

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

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

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

But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.

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

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them in My arms, but they never realized that it was I who healed 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.

I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.

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

Will they not return to the land of Egypt and be ruled by Assyria because they refused to repent?

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

A sword will flash through their cities; it will destroy the bars of their gates and consume them in their own plans.

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

My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.

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 could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!

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 will not execute the full fury of My anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not man— the Holy One among you— and I will not come in wrath.

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

They will walk after the LORD; He will roar like a lion. When He roars, His children will come trembling 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 the LORD.

They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria. Then I will settle them in their homes, declares the LORD.

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.

Ephraim surrounds Me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One.