Hosea 11

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

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

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

The more the prophets called them, the more they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

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

Yet I taught Ephraim to walk; I took them on my arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

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 drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that lift up the yoke on their jaws; and I laid food before them.

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

They shall not return into the land of Egypt; but the Assyrian shall be their king, because they refused to return to me.

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

And the sword shall fall upon their cities, and shall consume their bars, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

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 bent on backsliding from me: though they call them to him that is on high, none at all will exalt him.

“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 shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I cast thee off, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboiim? my heart is turned within me, my compassions are kindled together.

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 fierceness of mine 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 come in wrath.

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

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 shall come trembling as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria; and I will make them to dwell in their houses, saith Jehovah.

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 compasseth me about with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the Holy One.