Hosea 11 :: New International Version (NIV)

God’s Love for Israel

Hos 11:1“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

Hos 11:2But the more they were called, the more they went away from me.[fn] They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.

Hos 11:3

Hos 11:3It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them.

Hos 11:4

Hos 11:4I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.

Hos 11:5

Hos 11:5“Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent?

Hos 11:6

Hos 11:6A sword will flash in their cities; it will devour their false prophets and put an end to their plans.

Hos 11:7

Hos 11:7My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them.

Hos 11:8

Hos 11:8“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused.

Hos 11:9

Hos 11:9I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man— the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.

Hos 11:10

Hos 11:10They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.

Hos 11:11

Hos 11:11They will come from Egypt, trembling like sparrows, from Assyria, fluttering like doves. I will settle them in their homes,” declares the LORD.