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God’s Love for Israel

11 When Israel was a child, I loved him,
    and out of Egypt I called My son.
As I[a] called them,
    so they went from Me.[b]
They sacrificed to the Baals
    and burned incense to idols.
I taught Ephraim to walk,
    taking them up in My[c] arms,
but they did not know
    that I healed them.
I drew them with cords of human kindness,[d]
    with bands of love.
I was to them as those who ease the yoke on their neck,[e]
    and I bent down and fed them.

He will return[f] to the land of Egypt,
    and Assyria will be his king,
    because they refused to return to Me.
The sword slashes in their cities,
    consumes their oracle-priests,
    and devours because of their own counsels.
My people are bent on backsliding from Me.
    Though they called to the Most High,
    none at all exalt Him.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 11:2 Gk.; Heb. they.
  2. Hosea 11:2 Gk.; Heb. them.
  3. Hosea 11:3 Gk. Syr. Vulg.; Heb. his.
  4. Hosea 11:4 Heb. cords of a man.
  5. Hosea 11:4 Or jaws.
  6. Hosea 11:5 So LXX. Heb. He not will return.