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New Living Translation

    

Hosea 11

The LORD's Love for Israel
 1  "When Israel was a child, I loved him,
  and I called my son out of Egypt.
 2  But the more I [2]  called to him,
  the farther he moved from me,
offering sacrifices to the images of Baal
  and burning incense to idols.
 3  I myself taught Israel [3]  how to walk,
  leading him along by the hand.
But he doesn't know or even care
  that it was I who took care of him.
 4  "I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him."  5  "But since my people refuse to return to me,
  they will return to Egypt
  and will be forced to serve Assyria.
 6  War will swirl through their cities;
  their enemies will crash through their gates.
They will destroy them,
  trapping them in their own evil plans.
 7  For my people are determined to desert me.
They call me the Most High,
  but they don't truly honor me.

 8  "Oh, how can I give you up, Israel?
  How can I let you go?
How can I destroy you like Admah
  or demolish you like Zeboiim?
My heart is torn within me,
  and my compassion overflows.
 9  No, I will not unleash my fierce anger.
  I will not completely destroy Israel,
for I am God and not a mere mortal.
  I am the Holy One living among you,
  and I will not come to destroy.
 10  For someday the people will follow me.
  I, the LORD, will roar like a lion.
And when I roar,
  my people will return trembling from the west.
 11  Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt.
  Trembling like doves, they will return from Assyria.
And I will bring them home again,"
  says the LORD.

Charges against Israel and Judah
 12   [12] Israel surrounds me with lies and deceit,
  but Judah still obeys God
  and is faithful to the Holy One. [12] 
<<  11:2 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads they.
<<  11:3 Hebrew Ephraim, referring to the northern kingdom of Israel; also in 11:8, 9, 12.
<<  11:12a Verse 11:12 is numbered 12:1 in Hebrew text. 11:12b Or and Judah is unruly against God, the faithful Holy One. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.