Parallel Bible results for "hosea 14"

Hosea 14

New Revised Standard NRS

1 Return, O Israel, 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 guilt; accept that which is good, and we will offer the fruit of our lips.

3 Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses; we will say no more, "Our God,' to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy."

4 I will heal their disloyalty; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily, he shall strike root like the forests of Lebanon.

6 His shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like that of Lebanon.

7 They shall again live beneath my shadow, they shall flourish as a garden; they shall blossom like the vine, their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; your faithfulness comes from me.

9 Those who are wise understand these things; those who are discerning know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

The Message Bible MSG

1 O Israel, come back! Return to your God! You're down but you're not out.

2 Prepare your confession and come back to God. Pray to him, "Take away our sin, accept our confession. Receive as restitution our repentant prayers.

3 Assyria won't save us; horses won't get us where we want to go. We'll never again say 'our god' to something we've made or made up. You're our last hope. Is it not true that in you the orphan finds mercy?"

4 "I will heal their waywardness. I will love them lavishly. My anger is played out.

5 I will make a fresh start with Israel. He'll burst into bloom like a crocus in the spring. He'll put down deep oak tree roots,

6 he'll become a forest of oaks! He'll become splendid - like a giant sequoia, his fragrance like a grove of cedars!

7 Those who live near him will be blessed by him, be blessed and prosper like golden grain. Everyone will be talking about them, spreading their fame as the vintage children of God.

8 Ephraim is finished with gods that are no-gods. From now on I'm the one who answers and satisfies him. I am like a luxuriant fruit tree. Everything you need is to be found in me."

9 If you want to live well, make sure you understand all of this. If you know what's good for you, you'll learn this inside and out. God's paths get you where you want to go. Right-living people walk them easily; wrong-living people are always tripping and stumbling.