Hosea 11

The Lord’s Love for Israel

1 When Israel was a child, I loved him,  * 11:1 Dt 4:37; 7:6–8; 10:14–15; Ps 78:68; Is 41:8; Am 3:2; Mal 1:2

and out of Egypt I called my son.  * 11:1 Ex 4:22–23; Dt 32:5–6,18–20; Ps 103:13; Jr 3:19; Hs 1:10; Mt 2:15

2 Israel called to the Egyptians  * 11:2 2Kg 17:13–15

even as Israel was leaving them.  * 11:2 Lit They called to them; thus they went from before them

They kept sacrificing to the Baals  * 11:2 Hs 2:13; 4:13

and burning offerings to idols.  * 11:2 Is 65:7; Jr 18:15

3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,  * 11:3 Hs 7:15

taking them  * 11:3 LXX, Syr, Vg; MT reads him by the hand,  * 11:3 Lit them on his arms,* 11:3 Dt 1:31; 32:10–11

but they never knew that I healed them.  * 11:3 Ex 15:26

4 I led them with human cords,

with ropes of love.  * 11:4 Jr 31:2–3

To them I was like one

who eases the yoke from their jaws;  * 11:4 Hs 10:11

I bent down to give them food.  * 11:4 Ex 16:32

5 Israel will not return to the land of Egypt

and Assyria will be his king,  * 11:5 Hs 7:16; 8:13; 9:3; 10:6

because they refused to repent.  * 11:5 Hs 7:16

6 A sword will whirl through his cities;  * 11:6 Hs 13:16

it will destroy and devour the bars of his gates,  * 11:6 Or devour his empty talkers, or devour his limbs; Hb obscure,* 11:6 Lm 2:9

because of their schemes.  * 11:6 Hs 4:16–17

7 My people are bent on turning from me.  * 11:7 Jr 8:5

Though they call to him on high,

he will not exalt them at all.

8 How can I give you up, Ephraim?  * 11:8 Hs 6:4; 7:1

How can I surrender you, Israel?

How can I make you like Admah?  * 11:8 Gn 14:8; Dt 29:23

How can I treat you like Zeboiim?  * 11:8 Gn 14:2; 19:1–29; Dt 29:23

I have had a change of heart;

my compassion is stirred!

9 I will not vent the full fury of my anger;  * 11:9 Dt 13:17

I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim.  * 11:9 Jr 26:3; 30:11

For I am God and not man,

the Holy One among you;  * 11:9 Is 5:24; 12:6; 41:14,16

I will not come in rage.  * 11:9 Or come into any city; Hb obscure

10 They will follow the  Lord;  * 11:10 Hs 3:5; 6:1–3

he will roar like a lion.  * 11:10 Is 31:4; Jl 3:16; Am 1:2

When he roars,

his children will come trembling from the west.  * 11:10 Is 66:2–5

11 They will be roused like birds from Egypt

and like doves  * 11:11 Is 60:8; Hs 7:11 from the land of Assyria.  * 11:11 Is 11:11

Then I will settle them in their homes.  * 11:11 Ezk 34:27–28

This is the  Lord’s declaration.

12 Ephraim surrounds me with lies,  * 11:12 Hs 4:2; 7:3

the house of Israel, with deceit.

Judah still wanders with God

and is faithful to the holy ones.  * 11:12 Hb obscure