Hosea 11

1 “When Israel was a young child I loved him, and from Egypt I called my son.ISV — Hosea 11:1

2 The more I called out to them, the farther they fled from me; ^{a11:2 So LXX. MT reads They called to them, so they went away from them.} they sacrificed to Baals, ^{b11:2 i.e. Canaanite deities} burning incense to carved images.ISV — Hosea 11:2

3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, supporting them by their arms, but they never knew that I was healing them.ISV — Hosea 11:3

4 I guided them with human kindness, with loving reins. I acted toward them like one who removes a yoke from their neck; I bent down and fed them.ISV — Hosea 11:4

5 “They will not return to the land of Egypt; instead, the Assyrian will be their king, because they kept refusing to repent.ISV — Hosea 11:5

6 The sword will fall on their cities, consuming and devouring their fortified gates, ^{c11:6 Lit. devouring the bars} despite their planning.ISV — Hosea 11:6

7 My people are determined to turn away from me; though they call to the Most High, no one is worshiping.ISV — Hosea 11:7

8 “How can I give up on you, Ephraim? I will deliver you, will I not, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? I can’t make you like Zeboim, ^{d11:8 cf. Deut 29:23} can I? My heart stirs within me; my compassion also fans into flame!ISV — Hosea 11:8

9 I will not act in my anger; I will not return to destroy Ephraim, For I am God, and not a human— the Holy One among you— so I will not enter the city in anger. ^{e11:9 The Heb. lacks in anger}ISV — Hosea 11:9

10 They will go after the LORD, who will roar like a lion; and when he roars, the children will come trembling from the west.ISV — Hosea 11:10

11 Trembling like a bird, they will come out of Egypt, and as a dove from the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses,” declares the LORD.ISV — Hosea 11:11

12 ^{f11:12 This v. is 12:1 in MT} “Ephraim surrounds me with lies, and the house of Israel surrounds me ^{g11:12 The Heb. lacks surrounds me} with deceit, But Judah still rules with God, and remains faithful, along with the godly ones.”ISV — Hosea 11:12