Hosea 14

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

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

2 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.

Take words with you, and return to the LORD. Tell him, “Forgive all our sins, and accept that which is good; so we offer bulls as we vowed of our lips.

3 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.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 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.

Men will dwell in his shade. They will revive like the grain, and blossom like the vine. Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 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.”

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

9 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.

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.