Hosea 11:1-11

1 The Lord says, 1 "When Israel was a child, I loved him and called him out of Egypt as my son.
2 But the more I called to him, the more he turned away from me. My people sacrificed to Baal; they burned incense to idols.
3 Yet I was the one who taught Israel to walk. I took my people up in my arms, but they did not acknowledge that I took care of them.
4 I drew them to me with affection and love. I picked them up and held them to my cheek; I bent down to them and fed them.
5 "They refuse to return to me, and so they must return to Egypt, and Assyria will rule them.
6 War will sweep through their cities and break down the city gates. It will destroy my people because they do what they themselves think best.
7 They insist on turning away from me. They will cry out because of the yoke that is on them, but no one will lift it from them.
8 "How can I give you up, Israel? 2 How can I abandon you? Could I ever destroy you as I did Admah, or treat you as I did Zeboiim? My heart will not let me do it! My love for you is too strong.
9 I will not punish you in my anger; I will not destroy Israel again. For I am God and not a mere human being. I, the Holy One, am with you. I will not come to you in anger.
10 "My people will follow me when I roar like a lion at their enemies. They will hurry to me from the west.
11 They will come from Egypt, as swiftly as birds, and from Assyria, like doves. I will bring them to their homes again. I, the Lord, have spoken."

Cross References 2

  • 1. 11.1Exodus 4.22;Matthew 2.15.
  • 2. 11.8Deuteronomy 29.23.

Footnotes 6

  • [a]. him, and called him . . . son; [or] him; from the time he left Egypt I have called him my son.
  • [b]. [One ancient translation] I; [Hebrew] they.
  • [c]. [One ancient translation] me; [Hebrew] them.
  • [d]. [One ancient translation] I . . . my arms; [Hebrew] He . . . his arms.
  • [e]. [Verse 4 in Hebrew is unclear.]
  • [f]. [Verse 7 in Hebrew is unclear.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.