Hosea - Chapter 14

Israel Returns To The Lord

¹ O Israel, return to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;

² Take words with you, And return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; Receive [us] graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.

³ Assyria shall not save us, We will not ride on horses, Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, '[You are] our gods.' For in You the fatherless finds mercy."

⁴ " I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him.

⁵ I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.

⁶ His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon.

⁷ Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived [like] grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent [shall be] like the wine of Lebanon.

⁸ " Ephraim [shall say,] 'What have I to do anymore with idols?' I have heard and observed him. I [am] like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me."

⁹ Who [is] wise? Let him understand these things. [Who is] prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD [are] right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.