A Promise of Restoration

I will heal their apostasy;(A)
I will freely love them,(B)
for my anger will have turned from him.(C)
I will be like the dew to Israel;(D)
he will blossom like the lily(E)
and take root like the cedars of Lebanon.(F)
His new branches will spread,
and his splendor will be like the olive tree,(G)
his fragrance, like the forest of Lebanon.(H)
The people will return and live beneath his shade.(I)
They will grow grain(J)
and blossom like the vine.
His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

Ephraim, why should I[a] have anything more
to do with idols?(K)
It is I who answer and watch over him.
I am like a flourishing pine tree;(L)
your fruit comes from me.(M)

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Footnotes

  1. 14:8 LXX reads he

Divine promise of healing

I will heal their faithlessness;
                I will love them freely,
        for my anger has turned from them.
I will be like the dew to Israel;
        he will blossom like the lily;
        he will cast out his roots like the forests of Lebanon.[a]
His branches will spread out;
        his beauty will be like the olive tree,
        and his fragrance like that of Lebanon.
They 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.
Ephraim, 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.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 14:5 Or like Lebanon