Hosea 11:8-10

Contemporary English Version

^8 (A) Israel, 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 Zeboiim?^[a]
I just can't do it.
My feelings for you
    are much too strong.
⁹ Israel, 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.

¹⁰ I, the Lord, will roar like a lion,
and my children will return,
    trembling from the west.