Hosea 11
1 Early in the morning were they cast
off, the king of Israel has been cast off: for Israel is a child, and I loved
him, and out of Egypt have I called his children.
2 As I called them, so they departed
from my presence: they sacrificed to Baalim, and burnt incense to graven
images. 3 Yet I bound the feet of
Ephraim, I took him on my arm; but they knew not that I healed them.
4 When men were destroyed, I drew them
with the bands of my love: and I will be to them as a man smiting
another on his cheek: and I will have respect to him,
I will prevail with him.
5 Ephraim dwelt in Egypt; and
as for the Assyrian, he was his king, because he
would not return. 6 And in his cities
he prevailed not with the sword, and he ceased
to war with his hands: and they shall eat
of the fruit of their own devices:
7 and his people
shall cleave fondly to their habitation; but God
shall be angry with his precious things, and shall not at all exalt him.
8 How shall I deal with thee, Ephraim?
how shall I protect thee, Israel? what shall I do
with thee? I will make thee as Adama, and as Seboim; my heart is turned at
once, my repentance is powerfully excited.
9 I will not act according to the fury
of my wrath, I will not abandon Ephraim to be utterly destroyed: for I am God,
and not man; the Holy One within thee: and I will not enter into the city.
10 I will go after the Lord: he shall
utter his voice as a lion: for he shall roar, and the
children of the waters shall be amazed.
11 They shall be amazed
and fly as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of
the land of the Assyrians: and I will restore them to their houses, saith the
Lord.