Hosea 14

14 Israel, return to Yahweh your God;

    for you have fallen because of your sin.

2 Take words with you, and return to Yahweh.

    Tell him, “Forgive all our sins,

    and accept that which is good:

    so we offer our lips like bulls.

3 Assyria can’t save us.

    We won’t ride on horses;

    neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ‘Our gods!’

    for in you the fatherless finds mercy.”

4 “I will heal their waywardness.

    I will love them freely;

    for my anger is turned away from him.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel.

    He will blossom like the lily,

    and send down his roots like Lebanon.

6 His branches will spread,

    and his beauty will be like the olive tree,

    and his fragrance like Lebanon.

7 Men will dwell in his shade.

    They will revive like the grain,

    and blossom like the vine.

    Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols?

    I answer, and will take care of him.

    I am like a green cypress tree;

    from me your fruit is found.”

9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things?

    Who is prudent, that he may know them?

    For the ways of Yahweh are right,

    and the righteous walk in them;

    But the rebellious stumble in them.