Hosea 14
1 Israeli, rudi kwa Bwana, Mungu wako, kwa kuwa umeanguka kwa sababu ya uovu wako.
Israel, return to Yahweh your God, for you have fallen because of your iniquity.
2 Chukueni maneno pamoja nanyi na mrudieni Yahweh. Mwambieni, “Ondoa uovu wetu wote, uyakubali mema, ili tuweze kukupa matunda ya midomo yetu.
Take with you words and return to Yahweh. Say to him, “Take away all our iniquity and accept what is good, so that we may offer to you 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 will not save us; we will not ride on horses to war. Neither will we say anymore to the work of our hands, 'You are our gods,' for in you the fatherless person finds compassion.”
4 'Nitawaponya kugeuka kwao; Nami nitawapenda kwa moyo, kwa maana hasira yangu itaondoka kwake.
“I will heal their turning away; I will love them freely, for my anger has 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 take root like a cedar in Lebanon.
6 Matawi yake yataenea; Uzuri wake utakuwa kama mizeituni, na harufu yake kama mierezi ya Lebanoni.
His branches will spread out; his beauty will be like the olive trees, and his fragrance like the cedars in Lebanon.
7 Watu wanaoishi katika kivuli chake watarejea; watafufuliwa kama nafaka na maua kama mizabibu. Utukufu wake utakuwa kama divai ya Lebanoni.
The people who live in his shade will return; they will revive like grain and blossom like vines. His fame 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 more have I to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a cypress whose leaves are always green; from me comes your fruit.”
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 understands these things so that he may know them? For the ways of Yahweh are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but the rebellious will stumble in them.
