Hosea 11

God Will Have Compassion

1 When Israel was a child, I loved him,

and out of Egypt I called my son.

2 When I called*Hebrew "When they called"; the LXX and modern translations read "When I called" them, they went from my face.*Hebrew "their face"

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

3 And I myself taught Ephraim to walk;

I took them*Hebrew uncertain in my*Hebrew "his" arms,

but they did not know that I healed them.

4 I drew them with human ties,*Literally "ropes of a human"

with the bands of love.

I was to them like one who lifted up*Or "like one who imposed" a yoke on their jaws,*Or "infants to their cheeks"

though I bent down to them*Hebrew "him" and let them*Hebrew "him" eat.

5 He will return*Or "They will not return" to the land of Egypt,

and Assyria will be his king,*That is "Israel’s king"

because they refused to return.

6 The sword rages in his cities;

it consumes his false prophets

and devours because of their plans.

7 My people are bent on backsliding from me.

To the Most High they call,

he does not raise them at all.

8 How 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*Or "My heart is overturned" within me;

all*Literally "together" my compassions are aroused.

9 I will not execute*Literally "I will not do" my fierce anger,*Literally "the anger of my nose"

I will not again destroy Ephraim;

because I am God

and not a mortal,*Or "human"

the Holy One in your midst;

and I will not come in wrath.

10 They will go after Yahweh;

he roars like a lion.

When he roars,

his children will come trembling

from the sea.*That is, "the West"

11 They will tremble like birds*Hebrew "bird" from Egypt,

and like doves*Hebrew "dove" from the land of Assyria;

and I will let them return*Hebrew "I will cause them to live" to their homes—

a declaration of Yahweh.

Israel’s History

12 *Hosea 11:12–12:14 in the English Bible is 12:1–15 in the Hebrew Bible Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,*Hebrew "lie"

and the house of Israel with deceit;

and Judah is still wandering with God

and is faithful to the Holy One.