Hosea 11

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

2As they called them, they went away from them; they sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.

3I myself trained Ephraim to walk, taking them on my arms, but they did not recognize that I healed them.

4I drew them with human cords, with cords of love; I was to them like those who lift the yoke from their jaws, and I stooped to him and fed him.

5He will not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria will be his king, because they refused to return.

6The sword will bear down on their cities, consume their gate bars, and devour their counsels.

7My people are bent on turning away from me, though they call to the Most High; he will not exalt them at all.

8How can I forsake you, Ephraim? How can I surrender you, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? Within me my heart recoils, my compassions kindle together.

9I will not unleash the fury of my anger; I will not return to destroy Ephraim—for I am God, and not man, the Holy One in your midst; I will not come into a city.

10They will follow Yahweh; he will roar like a lion, for he will roar and the children will tremble from the west.

11They will tremble like a bird from Egypt and like a dove from the land of Assyria, and I will settle them in their houses, says Yahweh.

12Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with treachery; Judah still rules with God and remains faithful with the holy ones.