Hosea 11

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

1When Israel was young, like a child, I loved him. I called my son to come out of Egypt.

2As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

2But the more I called them, the more they walked away. They killed animals as gifts to the Baals, who were false gods. They burned incense, a sweet-smelling smoke, to carved statues.

3I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

3I was the one who taught Ephraim to walk. Ephraim is another name for the people of Israel. I held them up by their arms. But they never knew that I was the one who made them well.

4I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

4I led them with gentle ropes, ropes of love. I lifted the heavy wooden bar off their necks. Then I bent down and gave them food.

Note"Meat" in the King James Bible means food of any kind, not just meat from animals. A yoke is a heavy wooden bar laid on an animal's neck to make it pull a load.

5He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.

5They will not go back to the land of Egypt. Instead the king of Assyria will rule over them. This is because they refused to come back to me.

6And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

6Swords will flash in their cities. They will break the strong bars of their gates. Their own plans will eat them up.

NoteThe King James Bible says the sword will "consume his branches." The Hebrew word means the strong bars that held city gates shut.

7And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

7My people have made up their minds to turn away from me. They are called to look up to God Most High. But not one of them will lift him up.

8How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

8How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like the town of Admah? How can I treat you like the town of Zeboim? My heart turns over inside me. My kindness is stirred up.

NoteAdmah and Zeboim were two towns near Sodom that were destroyed long before Hosea's time.

9I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.

9I will not pour out my burning anger. I will not turn back and destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and I am not a man. I am the Holy One, right here with you. I will not come against the city.

10They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

10They will follow the LORD. He will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come shaking from the west.

11They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.

11They will come shaking like birds from Egypt. They will come like doves from the land of Assyria. I will settle them in their own homes, says the LORD.

12Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.

12Ephraim surrounds me with lies. The people of Israel surround me with tricks. But Judah still walks with God. Judah stays true to the Holy One.