Chapter 11
With Human Attachments and with Bonds of Love
1 When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 But the more I called them,
the further they went from me.
They offered sacrifice to the Baals
and burning incense to idols.
3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
I who took them up in my arms.
However, they did not know
that I was the one caring for them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
with bonds of love.
I lifted them to my cheek as I would an infant,
and I bent down to feed them.
5 They shall return to the land of Egypt,
and Assyria will be their king
because they refused to return to me.
6 The sword shall be brandished in their cities;
it will destroy the bars of their gates
and devour them because of their evil schemes.
7 My people are determined to ignore me;
if they are summoned to approach me,
not one of them makes any attempt to do so.
8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How can I hand you over, O Israel?
How can I treat you like Admah?
How can I make you like Zeboiim?
My heart is overwhelmed within me;
tender compassion is enkindled in my heart.
9 I will not give rein to my fierce anger;
I will not destroy Ephraim again.
For I am God and not a mortal.
I am the Holy One in your midst;
I will not come to you in wrath.
10 They will follow the Lord
who roars like a lion.
And when he roars,
his children will come trembling from the west.
11 They will come trembling like sparrows from Egypt,
like doves from Assyria.
I will resettle them in their homes,
says the Lord.
Footnotes
- Hosea 11:1
- Hosea 11:8
- Hosea 11:10
