Hosea 14

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

Israel, return to Yahweh your God, for you have fallen because of your 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 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 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."

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

“I will heal their turning away; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned away from him.

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 to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like a cedar in Lebanon.

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

His branches will spread out; his beauty will be like the olive trees, and his fragrance like the cedars in 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.

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 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, 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 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 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.