Hosea 14

O israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

Israel, come back to your God. Your sins have brought you down.

Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.

Bring your heartfelt words to God, ask Him to cleanse us from all wrongs and accept us with love. In return, we will offer Him our sincere praises.

Asshur 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.

Asshur won't be our savior; we won't rely on horses for power. We won't idolize our own creations, claiming them as gods. For it's in you that the abandoned find compassion.

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

I will heal their turning away from me and shower them with love, for my anger towards them has subsided.

I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

I will gently nourish Israel like morning dew, allowing it to flourish like a lily, and establish deep roots like the mighty trees of Lebanon.

His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.

His influence will grow wide, his grace will shine like an olive tree, and his presence will be as refreshing as the scent of Lebanon.

They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.

Those who live in His protection will find new life; they'll flourish like grain and grow like a vine, their essence as intoxicating as the finest Lebanese wine.

Ephraim 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.

Ephraim will question, why should I bother with false gods? I've listened and watched closely: I am like a thriving evergreen. From me, you'll find your blessings.

Who 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 therein.

Who is truly wise? They will grasp these truths. Who is truly discerning? They will comprehend them. For God's paths are just and right, and those who are righteous will tread upon them. But those who stray will stumble and fall.