Hosea 11:1-8

1The Lord says, ‘When Israel was a child, I loved him as my son. I called my son to come out of Egypt.

2But the more I spoke to Israel's people, the more they turned away from me. They offered sacrifices to the images of Baal. They burned incense to give honour to their idols.

3I was the one who taught this child, Ephraim, to walk! I held their hand and I led them. I took care of them, but they did not understand this.

4I loved them and I was kind to them. I led them as their guide. I gave them rest from their hard work. I bent down to feed them.

5But they refuse to turn back to me. So they must return to Egypt. Assyria will rule over them.

6War will come to their cities. Enemies will break down the strong city gates. War will destroy my people and all their wicked ideas.

7My people have decided to turn away from me. That is all that they can think about. They call up to a God who rules above, but he will not help them.

8Israel, I cannot leave you alone. I cannot let you belong to someone else. I cannot destroy you, as I did to Admah and Zeboiim. I now realize that I love you too much. I could never destroy you completely.