Hosea 11:1-7 ▼

1 |When Israel was a young child I loved him, and from Egypt I called my son.

2 The more I called out to them, the farther they fled from me; they sacrificed to Baals, burning incense to carved images.

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

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.

5 |They will not return to the land of Egypt; instead, the Assyrian will be their king, because they kept refusing to repent.

6 The sword will fall on their cities, consuming and devouring their fortified gates, despite their planning.

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