Hosea 14

Return to Yahweh

1 Return to Yahweh your God, O Israel,

for you have stumbled because of your sin.

2 Take words with you,

and return to Yahweh.

Say to him,

"Take away all guilt;

accept good, and we will offer

the fruit*Hebrew uncertain of our lips.

3 Assyria will not save us;

we will not ride on horses,*Hebrew "horse"

and we will say no more, "Our God,"

to the work of our hands

because in you the fatherless child finds mercy.

4 I will heal their disloyalty;*Or "backsliding"

I will love them freely

because my anger has turned back

from them.*Hebrew "him"

5 I will be like the dew to Israel;

he will blossom like the lily plant,

and he will strike his roots like the trees of Lebanon.

6 His new plant shoots will spread out;

his splendor will be like the olive tree,

and his scent like the trees of Lebanon.

7 They will again dwell*Literally "They shall return, they shall dwell" in my*Hebrew "his" shadow;

they will grow grain

and they will blossom like the plant vine;

his fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 O Ephraim, what have I to do*Literally "what for me" with idols?

I myself have answered and looked after you.*Hebrew "him"

I am like a luxuriant cypress;

your fruit*Or "your faithfulness" comes from me.

9 Who is wise that he can understand these things?

Who is discerning that he knows them?

The ways of Yahweh are right,

and the righteous walk in them;

but transgressors stumble in them.