God Will Have Compassion
11 When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 When I called them, they went from my face.
They sacrificed to the Baals, and they sacrificed to idols.
3 And I myself taught Ephraim to walk;
I took them in my arms,
but they did not know that I healed them.
4 I drew them with human ties,
with the bands of love.
I was to them like one who lifted up a yoke on their jaws,
though I bent down to them and let them eat.
5 He will return to the land of Egypt,
and Assyria will be his 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 within me;
all my compassions are aroused.
9 I will not execute my fierce anger,
I will not again destroy Ephraim;
because I am God
and not a mortal,
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.
11 They will tremble like birds from Egypt,
and like doves from the land of Assyria;
and I will let them return to their homes—
a declaration of Yahweh.
Israel’s History
12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,
and the house of Israel with deceit;
and Judah is still wandering with God
and is faithful to the Holy One.
Footnotes
- Hosea 11:2
- Hosea 11:2
- Hosea 11:3
- Hosea 11:3
- Hosea 11:4
- Hosea 11:4
- Hosea 11:4
- Hosea 11:4
- Hosea 11:4
- Hosea 11:5
- Hosea 11:5
- Hosea 11:8
- Hosea 11:8
- Hosea 11:9
- Hosea 11:9
- Hosea 11:9
- Hosea 11:10
- Hosea 11:11
- Hosea 11:11
- Hosea 11:11
- Hosea 11:12
- Hosea 11:12
