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Hosea

Uses the prophet's marriage as a symbol for Israel's unfaithfulness and God's faithful love.

Chapter 11

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

*When Israel was young, I loved them and brought them from Egypt, where they were my son.

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

*As people named them, they left them: they worshipped Baal, and burned fragances for statues.

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

*I showed Ephraim the way and held their arms, but they didn't understand that I was healing them.

4 I 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.

*I guided them using a person's ropes and loving ties. I treated them like someone removing a burden from their necks, and provided food for them.

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

*He won't go back to Egypt, but will have an Assyrian ruler since they didn't return.

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

*The sword will stay in the cities, destroying their branches and eating them up because of their own plans.

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

*My people keep turning away from me; even when they call out to the highest power, no one really honors or lifts Him up.

8 How 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.

*How can I abandon you, Ephraim? How can I save you, Israel? Why turn you into Admah? Why make you like Zeboim? My heart aches for you; my regret burns strongly.

9 I 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.

*I won't unleash my intense anger, nor destroy Ephraim. I'm God, not a person. I'm the Holy One with you. I won't go into the city.

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

*People will follow God: God will roar like a lion: when He roars, children from the west will tremble.

11 They 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.

*They will shake like a bird leaving Egypt and like a dove from Assyria's land; I will put them back in their homes, says the Lord.

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

*Ephraim surrounds me with lies and Israel with trickery. But Judah still leads with God's help and is loyal to the righteous.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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