Hosea 14

New International Version

Repentance to Bring Blessing

14 ^[a]Return,^(A) Israel, to the Lord your God.
    Your sins^(B) have been your downfall!^(C)
²Take words with you
    and return to the Lord.
Say to him:
    “Forgive^(D) all our sins
and receive us graciously,^(E)
    that we may offer the fruit of our lips.^[b]^(F)
³Assyria cannot save us;^(G)
    we will not mount warhorses.^(H)
We will never again say ‘Our gods’^(I)
    to what our own hands have made,^(J)
    for in you the fatherless^(K) find compassion.”

⁴“I will heal^(L) their waywardness^(M)
    and love them freely,^(N)
    for my anger has turned away^(O) from them.
⁵I will be like the dew^(P) to Israel;
    he will blossom like a lily.^(Q)
Like a cedar of Lebanon^(R)
    he will send down his roots;^(S)
⁶    his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,^(T)
    his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.^(U)
⁷People will dwell again in his shade;^(V)
    they will flourish like the grain,
they will blossom^(W) like the vine—
    Israel’s fame will be like the wine^(X) of Lebanon.^(Y)
⁸Ephraim, what more have I^[c] to do with idols?^(Z)
    I will answer him and care for him.
I am like a flourishing juniper;^(AA)
    your fruitfulness comes from me.”

⁹Who is wise?^(AB) Let them realize these things.
    Who is discerning? Let them understand.^(AC)
The ways of the Lord are right;^(AD)
    the righteous walk^(AE) in them,
    but the rebellious stumble in them.