4I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love,
         And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws;
         And I bent down and fed them.

5They will not return to the land of Egypt;
         But Assyria—he will be their king
         Because they refused to return to Me.

6The sword will whirl against their cities,
         And will demolish their gate bars
         And consume them because of their counsels.

7So My people are bent on turning from Me.
         Though they call them to the One on high,
         None at all exalts Him.

8How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
         How can I surrender you, O Israel?
         How can I make you like Admah?
         How can I treat you like Zeboiim?
         My heart is turned over within Me,
         All My compassions are kindled.

9I will not execute My fierce anger;
         I will not destroy Ephraim again.
         For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst,
         And I will not come in wrath.

10They will walk after the LORD,
         He will roar like a lion;
         Indeed He will roar
         And His sons will come trembling from the west.

11They will come trembling like birds from Egypt
         And like doves from the land of Assyria;
         And I will settle them in their houses, declares the LORD.

12Ephraim surrounds Me with lies
         And the house of Israel with deceit;
         Judah is also unruly against God,
         Even against the Holy One who is faithful.

NASB ©1995

Hosea 11:4 NIV
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