Hosea 14
Israel Entreated to
Return to the LORD |
1 |
O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine
iniquity.
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2 |
Take with you words, and turn to the
LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and
receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our
lips.
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3 |
Asshur shall not save us; we will not
ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our
hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth
mercy.
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4 |
I will heal their backsliding, I will
love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
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5 |
I will be as the dew unto Israel: he
shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as
Lebanon.
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6 |
His branches shall spread, and his beauty
shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
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7 |
They that dwell under his shadow shall
return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine:
the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
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8 |
E'phra-im shall say, What have I
to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed
him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit
found.
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9 |
Who is wise, and he shall
understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for
the ways of the LORD are right, and the
just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall
therein.
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