Hosea

Hosea 11 ©

1 Israel's ingratitude to God for his benefits: 5 God's judgment upon them: 8 his mercy toward them. 12 Ephraim's falsehood, and Judah's fidelity.

1

WHEN Israel awas a child, then I loved him, and bcalled my son out of Egypt.

2

cAs they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

3

dI taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but ethey knew not that I healed them.

4

fI drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that 1take off the yoke on their jaws, and gI laid *meat unto them.

5

hHe shall not return into the land of Egypt, but ithe Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.

6

jAnd the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, kbecause of their own counsels.

7

And my people are lbent to backsliding from me: mthough they called them to the most High, 2none at all would exalt him.

8

nHow shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as oAdmah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? pmine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

9

qI will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

10

rThey shall walk after the LORD: he shall sroar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall ttremble from the west.

11

uThey shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and vI will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.

12

Ephraim w*compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but xJudah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with 3the saints.