Hosea 11
1(J) WHEN Israel was young I loved him, and I called his children out of Egypt.
2The more I called them, the more they ran from My presence. They sacrificed to the Baalims, and burned incense to graven images;
3therefore I bound Ephraim’s feet. I took him up in My arms. When they did not know that I heal by the destruction of men, I bound them with the cords of My love.
4Now I will be to them as a man who slappeth his cheeks, and I will keep an eye upon him, and exercise authority over him.
5Ephraim dwelt in Egypt, though Assur was his king.
6Because he refused to return, he was weakened in his cities by the sword. And it caused him to rest with his hands; and they shall eat the fruit of their devices.
7(p) His people are indeed in imminent danger of being removed from their dwelling, will God be provoked against his honours so as never to exalt him?
8(J) What shall I do with thee, Ephraim? Shall I shield thee, Israel? What must I do with thee? Shall I make thee as Adama and as Seboim? * My heart relenteth for him. My compassion is moved.
9I will not act according to the fierceness of Mine indignation, I will not give up Ephraim to utter destruction. For I am God and am not man—The Holy One in the midst of thee.
10(p) Am I then not to enter a city? Am I to follow the Lord? Will he roar like a lion? And because of his roaring, will the children of waters be affrighted?
11(J) They shall be frighted like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of the Assyrians. And I will bring them back to their own homes, saith the Lord.
12Ephraim encompassed Me with a lie, and the house of Israel and Juda, with impieties. Now God had acknowledged them, and they were to be called the holy people of God.—