Hosea

¹ When Israel was a youth I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son.

² The more they went from them; They kept sacrificing to the Baals And burning incense to graven images.

³ I took them in My arms; But they did not know that I healed them.

⁴ And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws; And I bent down and fed them.

⁵ But Assyria—he will be their king Because they refused to return to Me.

⁶ And will consume their gate bars And devour them because of their counsels.

⁷ Though they call them to the One on high, None at all exalts Him.

⁸ How can I surrender you, O Israel? How can I give you over to be like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within Me; All My compassions are stirred.

⁹ I will not make Ephraim a ruin again. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, And I will not come in wrath.

¹⁰ He will roar like a lion; Indeed, He will roar, And His sons will come trembling from the west.

¹¹ And like doves from the land of Assyria; And I will settle them in their houses, declares Yahweh.

¹² And the house of Israel with deceit; And Judah is also unruly against God, Even against the Holy One who is faithful.