Hosea, chapter 11

God's Love for His People

C When Israel was a child, I loved him,

and I called my son out of Egypt.

²But as the saying goes, “The more they were called,

the more they rebelled.”*

They never stopped offering incense and sacrifices

to the idols of BaalH.

³I took Israel by the arm and taught them to walk.

But they would not admit that I was the one

who had healed them.

⁴I led them with kindness and with love,

not with ropes.

I held them close to me;* I bent down to feed them.

⁵But they rejected me, and so must return to Egypt;

now Assyria will ruleH them.

⁶War will visit their cities, and their plans will fail.*

⁷My people are determined to reject me for a godI

they think is stronger, but he can't help.*

⁸Israel, I can't let you go. I can't give you up.

How could I possibly destroy you

as I did the towns of Admah and ZeboiimG?

I just can't do it.

My feelings for you are much too strong.

⁹Israel, I won't lose my temper and destroy you again.

I am the Holy God— not merely some human,

and I won't stay angry.

¹⁰I, the Lord, will roar like a lionI,

and my children will return, trembling

from the west.

¹¹They will come backI, fluttering like birds from Egypt

or like doves from Assyria.

Then I will bring them back to their homes.

I, the Lord, have spoken!

Israel and Judah Compared

¹²Israel is deceitful to me, their loyal and holy God;

they surround me with lies,

and Judah worships other gods.*