Oséias 11

God Yearns over His People

1 When Israel was a youth I loved him,

And out of Egypt I called My son.

2 The more *11:2 I.e., God’s prophetsthey called them,

The more they went away from *11:2 I.e., God’s prophetsthem;

They kept sacrificing to the Baals

And burning incense to idols.

3 Yet it is I who taught Ephraim to walk,

* 11:3 As in ancient versions; MT He...His I took them in My arms;

But they did not know that I healed them.

4 I pulled them along with cords of a man, with ropes of love,

And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws;

And I bent down and fed them.

5 *11:5 Lit HeThey will not return to the land of Egypt;

But Assyria—he will be *11:5 Lit histheir king

Because they refused to return to Me.

6 And the sword will whirl against *11:6 Lit histheir cities,

And will destroy *11:6 Lit histheir oracle priests

And consume them, because of their counsels.

7 So My people are determined to turn from Me.

Though *11:7 I.e., God’s prophetsthey call *11:7 Lit him; i.e., Israelthem to the One on high,

None at all exalts Him.

8 How can I give you up, Ephraim?

How can I surrender you, Israel?

How can I *11:8 Lit givemake you like Admah?

How can I treat you like Zeboiim?

My heart is turned over within Me,

* 11:8 Lit Together All My compassions are kindled.

9 I will not carry out My fierce anger;

I will not destroy Ephraim again.

For I am God and not a man, the Holy One in your midst,

And I will not come in *11:9 Lit agitationwrath.

10 They will walk after the Lord,

He will roar like a lion;

Indeed He will roar,

And His sons will come trembling from the west.

11 They will come trembling like birds from Egypt,

And like doves from the land of Assyria;

And I will settle them in their houses, declares the Lord.

12 *11:12 Ch 12:1 in HebEphraim surrounds Me with lies

And the house of Israel with deceit;

* 11:12 Or But Judah still goes about with God, even with Judah is still unruly against God,

Even against the Holy One who is faithful.