Hosea 14

1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

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

2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive [us] graciously: so will we render the calves 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 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, [Ye are] our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth 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 backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine 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 as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as 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 shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.

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

7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive [as] the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof [shall be] as 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 [shall say], What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard [him], and observed him: I [am] like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit 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, and he shall understand these [things]? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD [are] right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

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.