1When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.2As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.3I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.4I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.5He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.6And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them , because of their own counsels.7And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him .8How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.9I 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 enter into the city.10They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.11They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.12Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
Hosea 11
English Standard Version
The Lord’s Love for Israel
1When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. (Ex 4:22; De 7:8; Ho 2:15; Ho 14:4; Mal 1:6; Mt 2:15)2The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols. (Ho 2:13; Ho 11:7; Ho 13:1)3Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. (Ex 15:26; De 1:31; Ho 7:15)4I led them with cords of kindness,[1] with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. (Le 26:13; Ps 78:24; Jer 31:3; Joh 6:44; Joh 12:32)5They shall not[2] return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria shall be their king, because they have refused to return to me. (2Ki 17:13; Ho 4:16; Ho 7:16; Ho 8:13; Ho 10:3)6The sword shall rage against their cities, consume the bars of their gates, and devour them because of their own counsels. (Ho 10:6; Ho 10:14)7My people are bent on turning away from me, and though they call out to the Most High, he shall not raise them up at all. (Ho 11:2; Ho 14:4)8How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. (Ge 14:8; Ge 19:24; De 29:23; De 32:36; Jer 49:18; Jer 50:40; Am 4:11; Jud 1:7)9I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath.[3] (Nu 23:19; Isa 12:6)10They shall go after the Lord; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west; (Isa 11:11; Isa 31:4; Jer 25:30; Ho 3:5; Joe 3:16; Am 1:2; Zec 8:7)11they shall come trembling like birds from Egypt, and like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will return them to their homes, declares the Lord. (Isa 60:8; Ho 8:13; Ho 9:3; Zec 10:6; Zec 10:10)12[4] Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit, but Judah still walks with God and is faithful to the Holy One. (Ho 7:13)