14 1 The destruction of Samaria. 2 He exhorteth Israel to turn to God, who requireth praise and thanks.
1 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.
2 O Israel, [a]return unto the Lord thy God: for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
3 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.
4 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.
5 [e]I will heal their rebellion: I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
6 I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily and fasten his roots, as the trees of Lebanon.
7 His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
8 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.
9 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
- Hosea 14:2 He exhorteth them to repentance to avoid all these plagues, willing them to declare by words their obedience and repentance.
- Hosea 14:3 He showeth them how they ought to confess their sins.
- Hosea 14:3 Declaring that this is the true sacrifice, that the faithful can offer, even thanks and praise, Heb. 13:15.
- Hosea 14:4 We will leave off all vain confidence and pride.
- Hosea 14:5 He declareth how ready God is to receive them that do repent.
- Hosea 14:8 Whosoever join themselves to this people, shall be blessed.
- 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.
- Hosea 14:10 Signifying, that the true wisdom and knowledge consisteth in this even to rest upon God.