Hosea 11:1–4; Hosea 11:8–9

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Hosea 11:1–4

The Lord’s Love for Israel

uWhen Israel was a child, vI loved him,

and out of Egypt I wcalled xmy son.

yThe more they were called,

the more they went away;

zthey kept sacrificing to the Baals

and burning offerings to idols.

Yet it was aI who taught Ephraim to walk;

I took them up by their arms,

but they did not know that bI healed them.

cI led them with cords of kindness,1

with the bands of love,

and dI became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,

and eI bent down to them and fed them.


Hosea 11:8–9

How can I give you up, O Ephraim?

How can I hand you over, O Israel?

nHow can I make you olike Admah?

How can I treat you olike Zeboiim?

pMy heart recoils within me;

my compassion grows warm and tender.

I will not execute my burning anger;

I will not again destroy Ephraim;

qfor I am God and not a man,

rthe Holy One in your midst,

and I will not come in wrath.1