Hosea 14

1Return, Israel, to Yahweh your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.

2Take words with you and return to Yahweh. Say to him, “Take away all iniquity, and accept what is good, so that we may offer our lips as bulls.

3Assyria will not save us; we will not ride on horses. We will never again say ‘Our God’ to the work of our hands, for in you the fatherless find compassion.”

4I will heal their faithlessness; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned away from him.

5I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily and send down his roots like Lebanon.

6His shoots will spread out; his splendor will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon.

7Those who live in his shade will return; they will flourish like grain, they will blossom like the vine, and his fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and watch over him. I am like a flourishing cypress; your fruit comes from me.

9Whoever is wise should understand these things; whoever is discerning should know them. For the ways of Yahweh are right, and the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.