Hosea
I called my son out of Egypt
11
1 I loved Israel when he was a child; out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more I have called, the further have they gone from me – sacrificing to the Baals, burning incense to the idols. 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; yet little did they realize that it was I who cared for them. 4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with leading strings of love, and I became for them as one who eases the yoke upon their neck and stoops down to feed them.
5 If they refuse to return to me, they will have to go back to Egypt and be ruled by an Assyrian king. 6 Swords will flash in their cities, slaughtering their sons, putting an end to all their plans.
7 They insist on turning away from me; they cry out because the yoke is upon them and no one lifts it. 8 How can I give you up, Ephraim? Can I abandon you like Admah or make you like Zeboiim? My heart is troubled within me and I am moved with compassion. 9 I will not give vent to my great anger; I will not return to destroy Ephraim for I am God and not human. I am the Holy One in your midst and I do not want to come to you in anger.
8 How can I give you up, Ephraim? Can I abandon you like Admah or make you like Zeboiim? My heart is troubled within me and I am moved with compassion. 9 I will not give vent to my great anger; I will not return to destroy Ephraim for I am God and not human. I am the Holy One in your midst and I do not want to come to you in anger. 10 You will follow Yahweh when he roars like a lion. When he roars his sons will come trembling from the west; 11 they will come with fear like sparrows from Egypt, like doves from As syria. For I will bring them to their homes again.