Hosea 14

Turn Back to the Lord

1 Israel, return! Come back

to the Lord, your God.

Sin has made you fall.

2 Return to the Lord and say,

"Please forgive our sins.

Accept our good sacrifices

of praise instead of bulls.*14.2 Accept … bulls: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

3 Assyria can’t save us,

and chariots can’t help.

So we will no longer worship

the idols we have made.

Our Lord, you show mercy

to orphans."

The Lord Promises To Forgive

4 Israel, you have rejected me,

but my anger is gone;

I will heal you and love you

without limit.

5 I will be like the dew—

then you will blossom like lilies

and have roots like a tree.*14.5 like a tree: The Hebrew text has "like Lebanon," probably referring to the famous cedar trees on Mount Lebanon.

6 Your branches will spread

with the beauty

of an olive tree

and with the aroma

of Lebanon Forest.

7 You will rest in my shade,

and your grain will grow.

You will blossom

like a vineyard

and be famous as the wine

from Lebanon.

8 Israel, give up your idols!

I will answer your prayers

and take care of you.*14.8 Israel … you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

I am that glorious tree,

the source of your fruit.*14.8 I am … fruit: This is the only place in the Old Testament where the Lord is compared to a tree. Hosea reminds the people that it is the Lord who is the source of life, rather than the Canaanite gods and goddesses that are worshiped under trees at the local shrines.

9 If you are wise, you will know

and understand what I mean.

I am the Lord, and I lead you

along the right path.

If you obey me,

we will walk together,

but if you are wicked,

you will stumble.