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God’s Love for Israel

11 When Israel was a child, I loved him,
    and out of Egypt I called My son.
As I[a] called them,
    so they went from Me.[b]
They sacrificed to the Baals
    and burned incense to idols.
I taught Ephraim to walk,
    taking them up in My[c] arms,
but they did not know
    that I healed them.
I drew them with cords of human kindness,[d]
    with bands of love.
I was to them as those who ease the yoke on their neck,[e]
    and I bent down and fed them.

He will return[f] to the land of Egypt,
    and Assyria will be his king,
    because they refused to return to Me.
The sword slashes in their cities,
    consumes their oracle-priests,
    and devours because of their own counsels.
My people are bent on backsliding from Me.
    Though they called to the Most High,
    none at all exalt Him.

How can I give you up, Ephraim?
    How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I make you like Admah?
    How can I treat you like Zeboyim?
My heart churns within Me;
    My compassion is stirred.
I will not execute the fierceness of My anger;
    I will not again destroy Ephraim.
For I am God, and not man,
    the Holy One in your midst,
    and I will not come in wrath.
10 They will walk after the Lord,
    who roars like a lion.
When He roars,
    His children will come trembling from the west.
11 They will come trembling
    like a bird out of Egypt
    and like a dove from the land of Assyria.
And I will let them dwell in their houses,
    says the Lord.

God’s Charge Against Ephraim

12 Ephraim has surrounded Me with lies,
    and the house of Israel with deceit.
But Judah still walks with God,
    and is faithful to the Holy One.[g]

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 11:2 Gk.; Heb. they.
  2. Hosea 11:2 Gk.; Heb. them.
  3. Hosea 11:3 Gk. Syr. Vulg.; Heb. his.
  4. Hosea 11:4 Heb. cords of a man.
  5. Hosea 11:4 Or jaws.
  6. Hosea 11:5 So LXX. Heb. He not will return.
  7. Hosea 11:12 Or holy ones.

God’s Love for Israel

11 “When Israel was a child,(A) I loved(B) him,
    and out of Egypt I called my son.(C)
But the more they were called,
    the more they went away from me.[a](D)
They sacrificed to the Baals(E)
    and they burned incense to images.(F)
It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
    taking them by the arms;(G)
but they did not realize
    it was I who healed(H) them.
I led them with cords of human kindness,
    with ties of love.(I)
To them I was like one who lifts
    a little child to the cheek,
    and I bent down to feed(J) them.(K)

“Will they not return to Egypt(L)
    and will not Assyria(M) rule over them
    because they refuse to repent?(N)
A sword(O) will flash in their cities;
    it will devour(P) their false prophets
    and put an end to their plans.
My people are determined to turn(Q) from me.(R)
    Even though they call me God Most High,
    I will by no means exalt them.

“How can I give you up,(S) Ephraim?(T)
    How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I treat you like Admah?
    How can I make you like Zeboyim?(U)
My heart is changed within me;
    all my compassion(V) is aroused.(W)
I will not carry out my fierce anger,(X)
    nor will I devastate(Y) Ephraim again.
For I am God, and not a man(Z)
    the Holy One(AA) among you.
    I will not come against their cities.
10 They will follow the Lord;
    he will roar(AB) like a lion.(AC)
When he roars,
    his children will come trembling(AD) from the west.(AE)
11 They will come from Egypt,
    trembling like sparrows,
    from Assyria,(AF) fluttering like doves.(AG)
I will settle them in their homes,”(AH)
    declares the Lord.

Israel’s Sin

12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,(AI)
    Israel with deceit.
And Judah is unruly against God,
    even against the faithful(AJ) Holy One.[b](AK)

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 11:2 Septuagint; Hebrew them
  2. Hosea 11:12 In Hebrew texts this verse (11:12) is numbered 12:1.