Hosea 14

Israel’s Future Blessing

1 * 14:1 Ch 14:2 in Heb Return, Israel, to the Lord your God,

For you have stumbled *14:1 Or inbecause of your wrongdoing.

2 Take words with you and return to the Lord.

Say to Him, "Take away all guilt

And *14:2 Or accept that which is goodreceive us graciously,

So that we may present *14:2 As in ancient versions; MT our lips as bullsthe fruit of our lips.

3 "Assyria will not save us,

We will not ride on horses;

Nor will we say again, ‘Our god’

To the work of our hands;

For in You the *14:3 Or fatherlessorphan finds mercy."

4 I will heal their apostasy,

I will love them freely,

Because My anger has turned away from them.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel;

He will blossom like the lily,

And he will *14:5 Lit strike his rootstake root like the cedars of Lebanon.

6 His shoots will *14:6 Lit gosprout,

His *14:6 Lit splendormajesty will be like the olive tree,

And his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.

7 Those who live in his shadow

Will *14:7 Or return, they will raise grainagain raise grain,

And they will blossom like the vine.

His fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?

It is I who answer and look after *14:8 Lit himyou.

I am like a luxuriant juniper;

From Me *14:8 Lit is foundcomes your fruit.

9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

Whoever is discerning, let him know them.

For the ways of the Lord are right,

And the righteous will walk in them,

But wrongdoers will stumble in them.