GodsWord - Hosea - 11

11:1  "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt.

11:2  The more I called them, the farther they went away. They sacrificed to other gods--the Baals, and they burned incense to idols.

11:3  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.

11:4  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.

11:5  "They will not return to Egypt. Instead, Assyria will rule them because they have refused to return to me.

11:6  War will sweep through their cities, demolish their city gates, and put an end to their plans.

11:7  My people are determined to turn away from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will not pardon them.

11:8  "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.

11:9  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.

11:10  "My people will follow me when I roar like a lion. When I roar, my children will come trembling from the west.

11:11  They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from Assyria. I will settle them in their own homes," declares the LORD.

11:12  "Ephraim surrounds me with lies. The nation of Israel surrounds me with deceit." Judah rebels against God, against the Holy One who is faithful.