Daily Bible CEV July 20 Verses

God's Love for His People

Hosea 11 When Israel was a child, I loved him,

and I called my son out of Egypt.

²But as the saying goes, "The more they were called,

the more they rebelled."

They never stopped offering incense and sacrifices

to the idols of Baal.

³I took Israel by the arm and taught them to walk.

But they would not admit that I was the one

who had healed them.

⁴I led them with kindness and with love,

not with ropes.

I held them close to me; I bent down to feed them.

⁵But they trusted Egypt instead of returning to me;

now Assyria will rule them.

⁶War will visit their cities, and their plans will fail.

⁷My people are determined to reject me for a god

they think is stronger, but he can't help.

⁸Israel, I can't let you go. I can't give you up.

How could I possibly destroy you

as I did the towns of Admah and Zeboiim?

I just can't do it.

My feelings for you are much too strong.

⁹Israel, I won't lose my temper and destroy you again.

I am the Holy God-- not merely some human,

and I won't stay angry.

¹⁰I, the LORD, will roar like a lion,

and my children will return, trembling

from the west.

¹¹They will come back, fluttering like birds from Egypt

or like doves from Assyria.

Then I will bring them back to their homes.

I, the LORD, have spoken!

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