Hosea 11

1 When Israel was a child, 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.

2 But they turned away from those that called them. They sacrificed to images of Baal; They burned incense to idols.

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

3 I helped Ephraim to go, Yea, I took them up in my arms; Yet they marked not that I healed them.

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

4 I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I was to them as those who lift up the yoke from their jaws; I dealt gently with them, and gave them food.

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.

5 They shall no more go down to Egypt; For the Assyrian shall be their king, Because they refuse to return to me.

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

6 The sword shall fall upon their cities, It shall consume their bars, and devour Because of their devices.

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

7 For my people persevere in turning away from me; Though they are called to the Most High, None will exalt him.

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

8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I abandon thee, Israel? How shall I make thee as Admah? How shall I set thee as Zeboim? My heart is changed within me; Yea, my compassion is kindled.

“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.

9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in the midst of thee, And I will not come in anger.

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 amongst you. I will not come in wrath.

10 They shall walk after Jehovah, when he shall roar like a lion, When he shall roar, then shall their sons hasten from the west;

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.

11 They shall hasten as a bird from Egypt, And as a dove from the land of Assyria, And I will place them in their houses, saith Jehovah.

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.

12 Ephraim compasseth me about with falsehood, And the house of Israel with deceit; Judah also is inconstant toward God, Toward the holy and faithful one.

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