Hosea 11

¹When Israel was a child he was dear to me; and I took my son out of Egypt.

²When I sent for them, then they went away from me; they made offerings to the Baals, burning perfumes to images.

³But 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.

⁴I 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.

⁵He will go back to the land of Egypt and the Assyrian will be his king, because they would not come back to me.

⁶And the sword will go through his towns, wasting his children and causing destruction because of their evil designs.

⁷My people are given up to sinning against me; though their voice goes up on high, no one will be lifting them up.

⁸How 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.

⁹I 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.

¹⁰They 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;

¹¹Shaking 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.

¹²The deceit of Ephraim and the false words of Israel are about me on every side. ...

Hosea 11

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

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

³Yet I taught Ephraim to walk. I took them by his arms; but they did not know that I healed them.

⁴I 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.

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

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

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

⁹I 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 you; and I will not come in wrath.

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

¹¹They 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.

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