14 1 The destruction of Samaria. 2 He exhorteth Israel to turn to God, who requireth praise and thanks.

Samaria shall be desolate: for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped.

O Israel, [a]return unto the Lord thy God: for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

Take unto you words, and turn to the Lord, and say unto him, [b]Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our [c]lips.

Assyria shall [d]not save us, neither will we ride upon horses, neither will we say anymore to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.

[e]I will heal their rebellion: I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily and fasten his roots, as the trees of Lebanon.

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

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

Ephraim shall say, What have I to do anymore with idols? I [g]have heard him, and looked upon him: I am like a green fir tree: upon me is thy fruit found.

10 Who is [h]wise, and he shall understand these things? and prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are righteous and the just shall walk in them: but the wicked shall fall therein.

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 14:2 He exhorteth them to repentance to avoid all these plagues, willing them to declare by words their obedience and repentance.
  2. Hosea 14:3 He showeth them how they ought to confess their sins.
  3. Hosea 14:3 Declaring that this is the true sacrifice, that the faithful can offer, even thanks and praise, Heb. 13:15.
  4. Hosea 14:4 We will leave off all vain confidence and pride.
  5. Hosea 14:5 He declareth how ready God is to receive them that do repent.
  6. Hosea 14:8 Whosoever join themselves to this people, shall be blessed.
  7. Hosea 14:9 God showeth how prompt he is to hear his, when they repent, and to offer himself, as a protection and safeguard unto them, as a most sufficient fruit and profit.
  8. Hosea 14:10 Signifying, that the true wisdom and knowledge consisteth in this even to rest upon God.

Repentance to Bring Blessing

14 [a]Return,(A) Israel, to the Lord your God.
    Your sins(B) have been your downfall!(C)
Take words with you
    and return to the Lord.
Say to him:
    “Forgive(D) all our sins
and receive us graciously,(E)
    that we may offer the fruit of our lips.[b](F)
Assyria cannot save us;(G)
    we will not mount warhorses.(H)
We will never again say ‘Our gods’(I)
    to what our own hands have made,(J)
    for in you the fatherless(K) find compassion.”

“I will heal(L) their waywardness(M)
    and love them freely,(N)
    for my anger has turned away(O) from them.
I will be like the dew(P) to Israel;
    he will blossom like a lily.(Q)
Like a cedar of Lebanon(R)
    he will send down his roots;(S)
    his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,(T)
    his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.(U)
People will dwell again in his shade;(V)
    they will flourish like the grain,
they will blossom(W) like the vine—
    Israel’s fame will be like the wine(X) of Lebanon.(Y)
Ephraim, what more have I[c] to do with idols?(Z)
    I will answer him and care for him.
I am like a flourishing juniper;(AA)
    your fruitfulness comes from me.”

Who is wise?(AB) Let them realize these things.
    Who is discerning? Let them understand.(AC)
The ways of the Lord are right;(AD)
    the righteous walk(AE) in them,
    but the rebellious stumble in them.

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 14:1 In Hebrew texts 14:1-9 is numbered 14:2-10.
  2. Hosea 14:2 Or offer our lips as sacrifices of bulls
  3. Hosea 14:8 Or Hebrew; Septuagint What more has Ephraim