Hosea 14

1 ^{a14:1 This v. is 14:2 in MT, and so throughout the chapter.} “Return, Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have fallen due to your own iniquity.ISV — Hosea 14:1

2 Bring a prepared speech with you as you return to the LORD. Say to him: ‘Take away all our ^{b14:2 The Heb. lacks our} iniquity, and accept what is good. Then we will present the fruit ^{c14:2 So LXX and DSS. MT reads bulls} of our lips.ISV — Hosea 14:2

3 Assyria won’t save us; we won’t be riding on horses, Nor will we be saying anymore to the work of our hands, “You are ^{d14:3 The Heb. lacks You are} our God.” Indeed, in you the orphan finds mercy.’ISV — Hosea 14:3

4 “I will correct their apostasy, loving them freely, since my anger will have turned away from them. ^{e14:4 Lit. him}ISV — Hosea 14:4

5 I will be like the dew to Israel; Israel ^{f14:5 Lit. he} will blossom like a lily, growing roots like the cedars of ^{g14:5 The Heb. lacks the cedars of} Lebanon.ISV — Hosea 14:5

6 Israel’s ^{h14:6 Lit. His} branches will spread out, and its beauty will be like an olive tree, with its scent like that of Lebanon.ISV — Hosea 14:6

7 Those who live under its protection ^{i14:7 Lit. shadow} will surely return. Their grain will flourish; they will blossom like a vine, and Israel’s ^{j14:7 Lit. His} scent will be like wine from Lebanon.ISV — Hosea 14:7

8 “Ephraim, what have I in common with idols? I have listened and will pay attention to him. I am like a flourishing cypress; in me will your fruit be found.”ISV — Hosea 14:8

9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things. Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right: the righteous follow his example, but the rebellious stumble in them.ISV — Hosea 14:9