Hosea 14
A plea: Return to God
1Return, Israel, to the LORD your God; you have stumbled because of your wickedness.2Prepare to speak and return to the LORD; say to the LORD, “Forgive all wickedness;” “and receive the good.” “Instead of bulls,” “let us offer what we can say:”
3“Assyria won’t save us;” “we won’t ride upon horses;” “we will no longer say, ‘Our God,’” “to the work of our hands.” “In you the orphan finds compassion.”
Divine promise of healing
4I will heal their faithlessness; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.5I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily; he will cast out his roots like the forests of Lebanon.
6His branches will spread out; his beauty will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like that of Lebanon.
7They will again live beneath my shadow, they will flourish like a garden; they will blossom like the vine, their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.
8Ephraim, what do idols have to do with me? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like a green cypress tree; your fruit comes from me.