Hosea 11:1-11 (New International Version)

Hosea 11

God's Love for Israel

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

 ² But the more I ^[a] called Israel,
       the further they went from me. ^[b]
       They sacrificed to the Baals
       and they burned incense to images.

 ³ It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
       taking them by the arms;
       but they did not realize
       it was I who healed them.

 ⁴ I led them with cords of human kindness,
       with ties of love;
       I lifted the yoke from their neck
       and bent down to feed them.

 ⁵ "Will they not return to Egypt
       and will not Assyria rule over them
       because they refuse to repent?

 ⁶ Swords will flash in their cities,
       will destroy the bars of their gates
       and put an end to their plans.

 ⁷ My people are determined to turn from me.
       Even if they call to the Most High,
       he will by no means exalt them.

 ⁸ "How can I give you up, Ephraim?
       How can I hand you over, Israel?
       How can I treat you like Admah?
       How can I make you like Zeboiim?
       My heart is changed within me;
       all my compassion is aroused.

 ⁹ I will not carry out my fierce anger,
       nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim.
       For I am God, and not man—
       the Holy One among you.
       I will not come in wrath. ^[c]

 ¹⁰ They will follow the LORD;
       he will roar like a lion.
       When he roars,
       his children will come trembling from the west.

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