Hosea 11

The Lord’s Love for Israel

¹When Israel was a child, I loved him, ^a

and out of Egypt I called my son. ^b

²Israel called to the Egyptians ^c

even as Israel was leaving them. ^d

They kept sacrificing to the Baals ^e

and burning offerings to idols. ^f

³It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, ^g

taking them ^h by the hand, ⁱ,^j

but they never knew that I healed them. ^k

⁴I led them with human cords,

with ropes of love. ^l

To them I was like one

who eases the yoke from their jaws; ^m

I bent down to give them food. ⁿ

⁵Israel will not return to the land of Egypt

and Assyria will be his king, ^o

because they refused to repent. ^p

⁶A sword will whirl through his cities; ^q

it will destroy and devour the bars of his gates, ^r,^s

because of their schemes. ^t

⁷My people are bent on turning from me. ^u

Though they call to him on high,

he will not exalt them at all.

⁸How can I give you up, Ephraim? ^v

How can I surrender you, Israel?

How can I make you like Admah? ^w

How can I treat you like Zeboiim? ^x

I have had a change of heart;

my compassion is stirred!

⁹I will not vent the full fury of my anger; ^y

I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. ^z

For I am God and not man,

the Holy One among you; ^aa

I will not come in rage. ^ab

¹⁰They will follow the Lord; ^ac

he will roar like a lion. ^ad

When he roars,

his children will come trembling from the west. ^ae

¹¹They will be roused like birds from Egypt

and like doves ^af from the land of Assyria. ^ag

Then I will settle them in their homes. ^ah

This is the Lord’s declaration.

¹²Ephraim surrounds me with lies, ^ai

the house of Israel, with deceit.

Judah still wanders with God

and is faithful to the holy ones. ^aj