“I will heal their (A)backsliding,
I will (B)love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him.
I will be like the (C)dew to Israel;
He shall [a]grow like the lily,
And [b]lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
His branches shall [c]spread;
(D)His beauty shall be like an olive tree,
And (E)his fragrance like Lebanon.
(F)Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;
They shall be revived like grain,
And [d]grow like a vine.
Their [e]scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

“Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’
I have heard and observed him.
I am like a green cypress tree;
(G)Your fruit is found in Me.”

Who is wise?
Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent?
Let him know them.
For (H)the ways of the Lord are right;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 14:5 Lit. bud or sprout
  2. Hosea 14:5 Lit. strike
  3. Hosea 14:6 Lit. go
  4. Hosea 14:7 Lit. bud or sprout
  5. Hosea 14:7 Lit. remembrance

“I will heal(A) their waywardness(B)
    and love them freely,(C)
    for my anger has turned away(D) from them.
I will be like the dew(E) to Israel;
    he will blossom like a lily.(F)
Like a cedar of Lebanon(G)
    he will send down his roots;(H)
    his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,(I)
    his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.(J)
People will dwell again in his shade;(K)
    they will flourish like the grain,
they will blossom(L) like the vine—
    Israel’s fame will be like the wine(M) of Lebanon.(N)
Ephraim, what more have I[a] to do with idols?(O)
    I will answer him and care for him.
I am like a flourishing juniper;(P)
    your fruitfulness comes from me.”

Who is wise?(Q) Let them realize these things.
    Who is discerning? Let them understand.(R)
The ways of the Lord are right;(S)
    the righteous walk(T) in them,
    but the rebellious stumble in them.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 14:8 Or Hebrew; Septuagint What more has Ephraim