Hosea 11:1-11

New International Version

God’s Love for Israel

11 “When Israel was a child,^(A) I loved^(B) him,
    and out of Egypt I called my son.^(C)
²But the more they were called,
    the more they went away from me.^[a]^(D)
They sacrificed to the Baals^(E)
    and they burned incense to images.^(F)
³It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
    taking them by the arms;^(G)
but they did not realize
    it was I who healed^(H) them.
⁴I led them with cords of human kindness,
    with ties of love.^(I)
To them I was like one who lifts
    a little child to the cheek,
    and I bent down to feed^(J) them.^(K)

⁵“Will they not return to Egypt^(L)
    and will not Assyria^(M) rule over them
    because they refuse to repent?^(N)
⁶A sword^(O) will flash in their cities;
    it will devour^(P) their false prophets
    and put an end to their plans.
⁷My people are determined to turn^(Q) from me.^(R)
    Even though they call me God Most High,
    I will by no means exalt them.

⁸“How can I give you up,^(S) Ephraim?^(T)
    How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I treat you like Admah?
    How can I make you like Zeboyim?^(U)
My heart is changed within me;
    all my compassion^(V) is aroused.^(W)
⁹I will not carry out my fierce anger,^(X)
    nor will I devastate^(Y) Ephraim again.
For I am God, and not a man^(Z)—
    the Holy One^(AA) among you.
    I will not come against their cities.
¹⁰They will follow the Lord;
    he will roar^(AB) like a lion.^(AC)
When he roars,
    his children will come trembling^(AD) from the west.^(AE)
¹¹They will come from Egypt,
    trembling like sparrows,
    from Assyria,^(AF) fluttering like doves.^(AG)
I will settle them in their homes,”^(AH)
    declares the Lord.