HOSEAS 14

1Samaria must bear her guilt,For she has defied her God.They shall fall by the sword,Their infants shall be dashed to death,And their women with child ripped open.

2Return, O Israel, to the ETERNAL your God,For you have fallen because of your sin.

3Take words with youAnd return to GOD.Say:“Forgive all guiltAnd accept what is good;Instead of bulls we will pay[The offering of] our lips.

4Assyria shall not save us,No more will we ride on steeds; Nor ever again will we callOur handiwork our god,Since in You alone orphans find pity!”

5I will heal their affliction, see Jer. 2.19; 3.22. Generously will I take them back in love;For My anger has turned away from them.

6I will be to Israel like dew;He shall blossom like the lily,He shall strike root like a Lebanon tree.

7His boughs shall spread out far,His beauty shall be like the olive tree’s,His fragrance like that of Lebanon.

8They who sit in his shade shall be revived:They shall bring to life new grain,They shall blossom like the vine;His scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

9Ephraim [shall say]:“What more have I to do with idols?When I respond and look to [God],I become like a verdant cypress.”Your fruit is provided by Me.

10The wise will consider these words,The prudent will take note of them.For the paths of GOD are smooth;The righteous can walk on them,While sinners stumble on them.