Hosea 14 DBY
Summary: The book closes with a direct call to repentance: "Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity" (v. 1), and Hosea supplies words of confession for the people to bring, asking forgiveness and renouncing reliance on Assyria, war-horses, and idols. The LORD responds with a promise of healing and abundant love, describing Israel's restoration in agricultural imagery — blossoming like the lily, taking root like the cedars of Lebanon, flourishing like grain and the vine of Lebanon. The book ends with a closing wisdom saying inviting the discerning to understand that "the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them" (v. 9).
1O Israel, return unto Jehovah thyGod; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
2Take with you words, and turn to Jehovah; say unto him, Forgive all iniquity, and receive [us] graciously; so will we render the calves of our lips.
3Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, [Thou art] ourGod; because in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
4I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away from him.
5I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall blossom as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
6His shoots shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
7They shall return and sit under his shadow; they shall revive [as] corn, and blossom as the vine: the renown thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
8Ephraim [shall say], What have I to do any more with idols? (I answer [him], and I will observe him.) I am like a green fir-tree. — From me is thy fruit found.
9Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? intelligent, and he shall know them? For the ways of Jehovah are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein.
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