Hosea 11

When Israel was a youth I loved him,

And out of Egypt I called My son.

The more they called them,

The more they went from them;

They kept sacrificing to the Baals

And burning incense to graven images.

Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to walk;

I took them in My arms;

But they did not know that I healed them.

I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love,

And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws;

And I bent down and fed them.

They will not return to the land of Egypt;

But Assyria—he will be their king

Because they refused to return to Me.

And the sword will whirl against their cities

And will consume their gate bars

And devour them because of their counsels.

So My people are hung up on turning from Me.

Though they call them to the One on high,

None at all exalts Him.

How can I give you up, O Ephraim?

How can I surrender you, O Israel?

How can I give you over to be like Admah?

How can I make you like Zeboiim?

My heart is turned over within Me;

All My compassions are stirred.

I will not execute My burning anger;

I will not make Ephraim a ruin again.

For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst,

And I will not come in wrath.

They will walk after Yahweh;

He will roar like a lion;

Indeed, He will roar,

And His sons will come trembling from the west.

They will come trembling like birds from Egypt

And like doves from the land of Assyria;

And I will settle them in their houses, declares Yahweh.

Ephraim surrounds Me with lies

And the house of Israel with deceit;

And Judah is also unruly against God,

Even against the Holy One who is faithful.