Hosea 14

1 Israel, return to the LORD your God; for you have fallen because of your sin.

Israel, convert to the Lord your God. For you have been ruined by your own iniquity.

2 Take words with you, and return to the LORD. Tell him, "Forgive all our sins, and accept that which is good, and we will offer the fruit of our lips.

Take these words with you and return to the Lord. And say to him, “Remove all iniquity and accept the good. And we will repay the calves of our lips.

3 Assyria can't save us. We won't ride on horses; neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, 'Our gods.' for in you the fatherless finds mercy."

Assur will not save us; we will not ride on horses. Neither will we say any more, ‘The works of our hands are our gods,’ for those that are in you will have mercy on the orphan.”

4 "I will heal their waywardness. I will love them freely; for my anger is turned away from him.

I will heal their contrition; I will love them spontaneously. For my wrath has been turned away from them.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel. He will blossom like the lily, and send down his roots like Lebanon.

I will be like the dew; Israel will spring forth like the lily, and his root will spread out like that of the cedars of Lebanon.

6 His branches will spread, and his beauty will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon.

His branches will advance, and his glory will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance will be like that of the cedars of Lebanon.

7 They will return and dwell in his shade. They will live and be abundantly satisfied with grain, and blossom like the vine. Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.

They will be converted, sitting in his shadow. They will live on wheat, and they will grow like a vine. His memorial will be like the wine of the cedars of Lebanon.

8 Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols? I answer, and will take care of him. I am like a green fir tree; from me your fruit is found."

Ephraim will say, “What are idols to me anymore?” I will listen to him, and I will set him straight like a healthy spruce tree. Your fruit has been found by me.

9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them; But the rebellious stumble in them.

Who is wise and will understand this? Who has understanding and will know these things? For the ways of the Lord are straight, and the just will walk in them, but truly, the traitors will fall in them.