Hosea 11:3-12 ▼

3 Yet it was I who led Ephraim, I took them by the arm; but they did not acknowledge that I had healed them.

4 I led them with leather cords, with leather ropes; I lifted the yoke from their neck, and gently fed them.

5 They will return to Egypt! Assyria will rule over them because they refuse to repent!

6 A sword will flash in their cities, it will destroy the bars of their city gates, and will devour them in their fortresses.

7 My people are obsessed with turning away from me; they call to Baal, but he will never exalt them!

8 How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? I have had a change of heart! All my tender compassions are aroused!

9 I cannot carry out my fierce anger! I cannot totally destroy Ephraim! Because I am God, and not man--the Holy One among you--I will not come in wrath!

10 He will roar like a lion, and they will follow the LORD; when he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.

11 They will return in fear and trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria, and I will settle them in their homes,| declares the LORD.

12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies; the house of Israel has surrounded me with deceit. But Judah still roams about with God; he remains faithful to the Holy One.