Commentary on Hosea

1Return, Israel, to Jehovah thy God; For thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

2Take with you words, and turn to Jehovah, And say to him, — “Take away all iniquity, and bring good; And we shall render to theethe calves of our lips.

3The Assyrian shall not save us, On a horse we shall not mount, And we shall not henceforth say, — Our gods,’ to the works of our hands; For in thee will the fatherless find mercy.”

4I will heal their defections, I will love them freely; For turned aside is my fury from him.

5I will be as dew to Israel; He shall flourish as the lily, He shall fix his roots as Libanus;

6Spread shall his branches, And as that of the olive shall be his comeliness, And his fragrance like that of Libanus.

7Refreshed shall they be who shall dwell under his shadow; They shall revive as the corn, and germinate like the vine His odor shall be like that of the wine of Libanus.

8Ephraim shall say,“What have I to do any more with idols?” I have heard, and showed him favor, — “I shall be to thee a shady fir-tree; — From me is thy fruit found.” Who is wise? and he will understand these things;

9Who is intelligent? and he will know them: For right are the ways of Jehovah, And the just shall walk in them; But in them will the ungodly stumble.