Hosea 14 WBT
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 to the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thy iniquity.
2Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say to him, Take away all iniquity, and receive [us] graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
3Ashur 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.
4I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for my anger is turned away from him.
5I will be as the dew to Israel: he shall grow as the lily and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
6His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
7They that dwell under his shade shall return; they shall revive [as] the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent of it [shall be] as the wine of Lebanon.
8Ephraim [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.
9Who [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 in them.
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