Hosea 11

God Will Have Compassion

11When Israel was a child, I loved him,

and out of Egypt I called my son.

²When I called^a them, they went from my face.^b

They sacrificed to the Baals, and they sacrificed to idols.

³And I myself taught Ephraim to walk;

I took them^c in my^d arms,

but they did not know that I healed them.

⁴I drew them with human ties,^e

with the bands of love.

I was to them like one who lifted up^f a yoke on their jaws,^g

though I bent down to them^h and let themⁱ eat.

⁵He will return^j to the land of Egypt,

and Assyria will be his king,^k

because they refused to return.

⁶The sword rages in his cities;

it consumes his false prophets

and devours because of their plans.

⁷My people are bent on backsliding from me.

To the Most High they call,

he does not raise them at all.

⁸How can I give you up, O Ephraim?

How can I hand you over, O Israel?

How can I make you like Admah?

How can I treat you like Zeboiim?

My heart is disturbed^l within me;

all^m my compassions are aroused.

⁹I will not executeⁿ my fierce anger,^o

I will not again destroy Ephraim;

because I am God

and not a mortal,^p

the Holy One in your midst;

and I will not come in wrath.

¹⁰They will go after Yahweh;

he roars like a lion.

When he roars,

his children will come trembling

from the sea.^q

¹¹They will tremble like birds^r from Egypt,

and like doves^s from the land of Assyria;

and I will let them return^t to their homes—

a declaration of Yahweh.

Israel’s History

^12u Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,^v

and the house of Israel with deceit;

and Judah is still wandering with God

and is faithful to the Holy One.