Hosea 14 (NIV11)
1 Return, Israel, to the LORD your God.Your sins have been your downfall! 2 Take words with youand return to the LORD.Say to him:“Forgive all our sinsand receive us graciously,that we may offer the fruit of our lips. 3 Assyria cannot save us;we will not mount warhorses.We will never again say ‘Our gods’to what our own hands have made,for in you the fatherless find compassion.” 4 “I will heal their waywardnessand love them freely,for my anger has turned away from them. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel;he will blossom like a lily.Like a cedar of Lebanonhe will send down his roots; 6 his young shoots will grow.His splendor will be like an olive tree,his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. 7 People will dwell again in his shade;they will flourish like the grain,they will blossom like the vine—Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?I will answer him and care for him.I am like a flourishing juniper;your fruitfulness comes from me.” 9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things.Who is discerning? Let them understand.The ways of the LORD are right;the righteous walk in them,but the rebellious stumble in them.