Hosea 14

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

2Bring words with you and return to Yahweh; say to him, "Remove all iniquity, receive what is good, and we will offer calves from our lips."

3Assyria will not rescue us. We will not mount horses, nor declare again to our handiwork, "You are our gods!" For the orphan finds mercy in you.

4I will heal their unfaithfulness; I will love them generously, for my anger has turned from him.

5I will be like dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily, and strike his roots like Lebanon.

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

7Those dwelling in his shade will return; they will revive like grain and blossom like the vine, its fragrance like Lebanon's wine.

8Ephraim, what more do I have to do with idols? I have answered him and will watch over him; I am like a flourishing cypress—from me your fruit is found.

9Who is wise enough to understand these? Who is discerning enough to know them? For Yahweh's ways are right, and the righteous walk in them, but the transgressors stumble in them.