Hosea 11

1. “When Isra’el was a child, I loved him; 1 and out of Egypt I called my son.

2. But the more [the prophets] called them, 2 the farther they went from them. 2 They sacrificed to the ba‘alim 2 and offered incense to idols.

3. “Yet it was I who taught Efrayim to walk; 3 I took them by their arms. 3 But they did not know that it was I 3 who was healing them,

4. who was guiding them on through human means 4 with reins made of love. 4 With them I was like someone removing 4 the yoke from their jaws, 4 and I bent down to feed them.

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

6. The sword will fall on his cities, 6 destroying the bars of his gates, 6 because they follow their own advice.

7. My people are hanging in suspense 7 about returning to me; 7 and though they call them upwards, 7 nobody makes a move.

8. Efrayim, how can I give you up, 8 or surrender you, Isra’el? 8 How could I treat you like Admah 8 or make you like Tzvoyim? 8 My heart recoils at the idea, 8 as compassion warms within me.

9. I will not give vent to the fierceness of my rage, 9 I will not return to destroy Efrayim; 9 for I am God, not a human being, 9 the Holy One among you; 9 so I will not come in fury.

10. They will go after Adonai, 10 who will roar like a lion; 10 for he will roar, and the children will come 10 trembling from the west.

11. They will tremble like a bird as they come from Egypt, 11 like a dove as they come from the land of Ashur; 11 and I will resettle them in their own houses, 11 says Adonai.