< Hosea 14 >
1 Israeli, rudi kwa Bwana, Mungu wako, kwa kuwa umeanguka kwa sababu ya uovu wako.
Israel, return to the LORD your God; for you have fallen because of your sin.
2 Chukueni maneno pamoja nanyi na mrudieni Yahweh. Mwambieni, “Ondoa uovu wetu wote, uyakubali mema, ili tuweze kukupa matunda ya midomo yetu.
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.
3 Ashuru haitatuokoa; hatutapanda farasi kwenda vitani. Hatuwezi tena kuiambia kazi ya mikono yetu, 'ninyi ni miungu yetu,' kwa maana kwako mtu asiye na baba hupata huruma.”
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."
4 'Nitawaponya kugeuka kwao; Nami nitawapenda kwa moyo, kwa maana hasira yangu itaondoka kwake.
"I will heal their waywardness. I will love them freely; for my anger is turned away from him.
5 Nitakuwa kama umande kwa Israeli; atachanua kama maua na kuchukua mizizi kama mwerezi nchini Lebanoni.
I will be like the dew to Israel. He will blossom like the lily, and send down his roots like Lebanon.
6 Matawi yake yataenea; Uzuri wake utakuwa kama mizeituni, na harufu yake kama mierezi ya Lebanoni.
His branches will spread, and his beauty will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon.
7 Watu wanaoishi katika kivuli chake watarejea; watafufuliwa kama nafaka na maua kama mizabibu. Utukufu wake utakuwa kama divai ya Lebanoni.
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.
8 Efraimu, nifanye nini tena na sanamu? Mimi nitamjibu na kumtunza. Mimi ni kama mberoshi majani yake ni ya kijani daima; kutoka kwangu huja matunda yako.”
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."
9 Nani mwenye busara ili aelewe mambo haya? Nani anaelewa mambo haya ili awatambue? Kwa kuwa njia za Bwana ni sawa, na wenye haki watatembea ndani yao, lakini waasi wataanguka ndani yake.
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.