Hosea 11:5–11

⁵“But they refuse to turn away from their sins.

So they will return to Egypt.

And Assyria will rule over them.

⁶Swords will flash in their cities.

The heavy metal bars on their gates will be destroyed.

Their plans will come to an end.

⁷My people have made up their minds

to turn away from me.

Even if they call out to me,

I will certainly not honor them.

I am the Most High God.”

⁸The Lord continues,

“People of Ephraim, how can I give you up?

Israel, how can I hand you over to your enemies?

Can I destroy you as I did the town of Admah?

Can I treat you like Zeboiim?

My heart is stirred inside me.

It is filled with pity for you.

⁹My anger will not burn against you anymore.

I will not completely destroy you.

After all, I am God.

I am not a mere man.

I am the Holy One among you.

My burning anger will not come against you.

¹⁰I will roar like a lion against my enemies.

You will follow me.

When I roar, my children will come home trembling with fear.

You will return from the west.

¹¹You will come trembling like birds from Egypt.

You will return like doves from Assyria.

I will settle you again in your homes,”

announces the Lord.