Hosea 11:1-9 ▼

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

2 The more I called them, the farther they went away. They sacrificed to other gods-the Baals, and they burned incense to idols.

3 I was the one who taught the people of Ephraim to walk. I took them by the hand. But they didn't realize that I had healed them.

4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ropes of love. I removed the yokes from their necks. I bent down and fed them.

5 |They will not return to Egypt. Instead, Assyria will rule them because they have refused to return to me.

6 War will sweep through their cities, demolish their city gates, and put an end to their plans.

7 My people are determined to turn away from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will not pardon them.

8 |How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboim? I have changed my mind. I am deeply moved.

9 I will not act on my burning anger. I will not destroy Ephraim again. I am God, not a human. I am the Holy One among you, and I will not come to you in anger.