Hosea 11

1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. 2 As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. 3 I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them. 4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.*11.4 take off: Heb. lift up

5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return. 6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels. 7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.*11.7 none…: Heb. together they exalted not

8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. 9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city. 10 They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west. 11 They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD. 12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.*11.12 saints: or, most holy

以色列忘恩负义

1 "以色列年幼的时候，我就爱他。

我从埃及召我的儿子出来。

2 可是我越发呼唤他们，

他们越发走开；

他们给巴力献祭，

向偶像烧香。

3 然而是我教导以法莲走路的；

我用双臂抱他们，

他们却不知道是我医治了他们。

4 我用慈绳爱索*"慈绳爱索"原文意思不易肯定，或作"人的绳子、爱的绳索"或"皮制的绳索"牵引他们，

我待他们像人拉高牛的轭在两颚之上，

又向他们俯身，喂养他们。

必遭重罚

5 "他们必返回埃及地*"他们必返回埃及地"或译："难道他们不会返回埃及地吗？"，

亚述要作他们的王；

因为他们不肯回来归我。

6 刀剑必在他们的城中飞舞，

毁坏他们的门闩，

因着他们自己的计谋，吞灭他们。

7 我的子民决要背道离开我，

他们因着所负的轭而呼求，

却没有人给他们卸下。

神再施怜爱

8 "以法莲啊，我怎能舍弃你！

以色列啊，我怎能把你交出来！

我怎能对你如同押玛，

待你好象洗扁呢！

我的心肠翻转，

我的怜悯发动。

9 我必不让我的烈怒发作，

必不再毁灭以法莲；

因为我是　神，不是世人；我是你们中间的圣者，

必不会含怒而来。

10 他们必跟随耶和华；

耶和华要像狮子吼叫；

他一吼叫，

他们就从西方战战兢兢而来。

11 他们必战战兢兢而来，像从埃及赶来的飞鸟，

如从亚述地赶来的鸽子，

我要使他们住在自己的房子里。这是耶和华说的。

12 以法莲用虚谎，

以色列家用诡诈包围着我；

犹大还是与　神对抗，

就是对抗那可信可靠的至圣者。"*本节在《马索拉文本》为12:1