Hosea 11:1-11 - God Will Have Compassion

¹ When Israel was young, I loved him: and called my son out of the land of Egypt. ² But the more they were called, the more they went back, offering unto Idols, and censing Images. ³ I learned Ephraim to go, and bare them in mine arms, but they regarded not me that would have helped them. ⁴ I led them with cords of friendship, and with bands of love. I was even he, that laid the yoke upon their necks. I gave them their fodder myself, ⁵ that they should not go again into Egypt. And now is Assyria their king: for they would not turn unto me. ⁶ Therefore shall the sword begin in their cities, the store that they have laid up shall be destroyed and eaten up: and that because of their own imaginations. ⁷ My people hath no lust to turn unto me, their prophets lay the yoke upon them, but they ease them not of their burden.

⁸ What great things have I given thee, O Ephraim? How faithfully have I defended thee, O Israel? Have I dealt with thee as with Adam? Or have I entreated thee like Zeboim? No, my heart is otherwise minded. Yea, my mercy is to fervent: ⁹ therefore have I not turned me to destroy Ephraim in my wrathful displeasure. For I am God, and no man: I am even that holy one in the midst of thee, though I came not within the city. ¹⁰ The LORD roareth like a lion, that they may follow him. Yea, as a lion roareth he, that they may be afraid like the children of the sea: ¹¹ that they may be scattered away from Egypt, as men scare birds: and frayed away, as doves used to be, from the Assyrians' land: and that because I would have them tarry at home, sayeth the LORD.