Hosea 11

1When Israel was a boy, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2The more they called to them, the more they went away from them. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned offerings to carved idols. 3Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, holding them by the arms, but they did not know that I was the one who healed them. 4I led them with human cords, with ropes of love. To them I was like someone who lifts the yoke off their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. 5He will not go back to the land of Egypt; Assyria will be his king instead, because they refused to return to me. 6A sword will sweep through their cities; it will break the bars of their gates and consume them, because of their own schemes. 7My people are set on turning away from me. Though they are called to the One on high, not one of them rises up. 8How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I surrender you, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? Within me my heart turns over; all my compassion is stirred. 9I will not act on my burning anger; I will not turn to destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not a human, the Holy One among you, and I will not come in fury. 10They will follow the LORD, who will roar like a lion. When he roars, children will come trembling from the west. 11They will come trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from the land of Assyria, and I will settle them in their homes, declares the LORD.

12Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, the house of Israel with deceit, and Judah still runs wild against God, against the faithful Holy One.