Hosea 11

The Lord's Love for Israel

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

2. The more they were called, 2 the more they went away; 2 they kept sacrificing to the Baals 2 and burning offerings to idols.

3. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; 3 I took them up by their arms, 3 but they did not know that I healed them.

4. I led them with cords of kindness,[a] 4 with the bands of love, 4 and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, 4 and I bent down to them and fed them.

5. They shall not[b] return to the land of Egypt, 5 but Assyria shall be their king, 5 because they have refused to return to me.

6. The sword shall rage against their cities, 6 consume the bars of their gates, 6 and devour them because of their own counsels.

7. My people are bent on turning away from me, 7 and though they call out to the Most High, 7 he shall not raise them up at all.

8. How can I give you up, O Ephraim? 8 How can I hand you over, O Israel? 8 How can I make you like Admah? 8 How can I treat you like Zeboiim? 8 My heart recoils within me; 8 my compassion grows warm and tender.

9. I will not execute my burning anger; 9 I will not again destroy Ephraim; 9 for I am God and not a man, 9 the Holy One in your midst, 9 and I will not come in wrath.[c]

10. They shall go after the Lord; 10 he will roar like a lion; 10 when he roars, 10 his children shall come trembling from the west;

11. they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, 11 and like doves from the land of Assyria, 11 and I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord.

12. [d] Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, 12 and the house of Israel with deceit, 12 but Judah still walks with God 12 and is faithful to the Holy One.

Footnotes:
a. Hosea 11:4: Or humaneness; Hebrew man
b. Hosea 11:5: Or surely
c. Hosea 11:9: Or into the city
d. Hosea 11:12: Ch 12:1 in Hebrew