Hosea 11:1-9 ▼

1 As the morning passeth, so hath the king of Israel Israel was a child, and I loved him: and I called my son out of Egypt.

2 As they called them, they went away from before their face: they offered victims to Baalim, and sacrificed to idols.

3 And I was like a foster father to Ephraim, I carried them in my arms: and they knew not that I healed them.

4 I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love : and I will be to them as one that taketh off the yoke on their jaws: and I put his meat to him that he might eat.

5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king: because they would not be converted.

6 The sword hath begun in his cities, and it shall consume his chosen men, and sha.ll devour their heads.

7 And my people shall long for my return: but a yoke shall be put upon them together, which shall not be taken off.

8 How shall I deal with thee, O Ephraim, shall I protect thee, O Israel? how shall I make thee as Adama, shall I set thee as Seboim? my heart is turned within me, my repentance is stirred up.

9 I will not execute the fierceness of my wrath: I will not return to destroy Ephraim: because I am God, and not man: the holy one in the midst of thee, and I will not enter into the city.