# Hosea 11 (New King James Version)
God's Continuing Love for Israel

##### Chapter 11
###### 1 "When Israel _was_ a child, I loved him,  
And out of Egypt I called My son.  

###### 2 _As_ they called them,  
So they went from them;  
They sacrificed to the Baals,  
And burned incense to carved images.

###### 3 "I taught Ephraim to walk,  
Taking them by their arms;  
But they did not know that I healed them.  

###### 4 I drew them with gentle cords,  
With bands of love,  
And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck.  
I stooped _and_ fed them.

###### 5 "He shall not return to the land of Egypt;  
But the Assyrian shall be his king,  
Because they refused to repent.  

###### 6 And the sword shall slash in his cities,  
Devour his districts,  
And consume _them,_  
Because of their own counsels.  

###### 7 My people are bent on backsliding from Me.  
Though they call to the Most High,  
None at all exalt _Him._

###### 8 "How can I give you up, Ephraim?  
_How_ can I hand you over, Israel?  
How can I make you like Admah?  
_How_ can I set you like Zeboiim?  
My heart churns within Me;  
My sympathy is stirred.  

###### 9 I will not execute the fierceness of My anger;  
I will not again destroy Ephraim.  
For I _am_ God, and not man,  
The Holy One in your midst;  
And I will not come with terror.

###### 10 "They shall walk after the Lord.  
He will roar like a lion.  
When He roars,  
Then _His_ sons shall come trembling from the west;  

###### 11 They shall come trembling like a bird from Egypt,  
Like a dove from the land of Assyria.  
And I will let them dwell in their houses,"  
Says the Lord.God's Charge Against Ephraim

###### 12 "Ephraim has encircled Me with lies,  
And the house of Israel with deceit;  
But Judah still walks with God,  
Even with the Holy One _who is_ faithful.