Hosea 11

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

2The more they called to them, the more they went away from them; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning incense to idols.

3Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them in my arms, but they did not know that I healed them.

4I drew them with cords of a man, with ropes of love; and I was to them like those who lift a yoke from their jaws, and I bent down to him and fed him.

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

6A sword will whirl through his cities, and will consume his bars, and devour them because of their counsels.

7My people are bent on turning away from me; though they call to the Most High, together he does not lift them up.

8How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within me; all my compassions are stirred.

9I will not carry out the fierceness of my 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 into the city.

10They will walk after Yahweh; he will roar like a lion. For he himself will roar, and sons will come trembling from the west.

11They will come trembling like a bird from Egypt, and like a dove from the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their homes, declares Yahweh.