Hosea 11

1When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

2The more they were called, the more they went away from them. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned offerings to carved images.

3Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms, but they did not know that I healed them.

4I led them with human cords, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift the yoke from their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.

5They will not return to the land of Egypt, but Assyria will be their king, because they refused to return to me.

6A sword will whirl through their cities, destroy the bars of their gates, and devour them because of their schemes.

7My people are bent on turning away from me. Though they call them to the One above, he will not raise them up at all.

8How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within me; all my compassion is stirred.

9I will not carry out my fierce anger; I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim. For I am God and not a human being, the Holy One among you, and I will not come in wrath.

10They will follow Yahweh; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.

11They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will settle them in their homes, declares Yahweh.

12Ephraim surrounds me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; and Judah is still unruly against God, against the faithful Holy One.