# Hosea 14 (New King James Version)
Israel Restored at Last

##### Chapter 14
###### 1 O Israel, return to the Lord your God,  
For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;  

###### 2 Take words with you,  
And return to the Lord.  
Say to Him,  
"Take away all iniquity;  
Receive _us_ graciously,  
For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.  

###### 3 Assyria shall not save us,  
We will not ride on horses,  
Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, '_You are_ our gods.'  
For in You the fatherless finds mercy."

###### 4 "I will heal their backsliding,  
I will love them freely,  
For My anger has turned away from him.  

###### 5 I will be like the dew to Israel;  
He shall grow like the lily,  
And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.  

###### 6 His branches shall spread;  
His beauty shall be like an olive tree,  
And his fragrance like Lebanon.  

###### 7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;  
They shall be revived _like_ grain,  
And grow like a vine.  
Their scent _shall be_ like the wine of Lebanon.

###### 8 "Ephraim _shall say,_ 'What have I to do anymore with idols?'  
I have heard and observed him.  
I _am_ like a green cypress tree;  
Your fruit is found in Me."

###### 9 Who _is_ wise?  
Let him understand these things.  
_Who is_ prudent?  
Let him know them.  
For the ways of the Lord _are_ right;  
The righteous walk in them,  
But transgressors stumble in them.