Hosea 14:8-9

A Plea to Return to the Lord

8 O c Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?
It is I who answer and look after you. 1
I am like an evergreen cypress;
d from me comes your fruit.

9 e Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
whoever is discerning, let him know them;
for the ways of the Lord are right,
and f the upright walk in them,
f but transgressors stumble in them.

  1. Cross References
    Hosea 14:3
    Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride on horses; and we will say no more, 'Our God,' to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds mercy.
    Isaiah 30:22
    Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, "Be gone!
  2. Cross References
    Hosea 2:8
    And she did not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, and who lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal.
    Hosea 2:23
    And I will sow her for myself in the land. And I will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People, 'You are my people'; and he shall say, 'You are my God.'
    John 15:4 - 5
    Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
  3. Cross References
    Psalms 107:43
    Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
    Jeremiah 9:12
    Who is the man so wise that he can understand this? To whom has the mouth of the Lord spoken, that he may declare it? Why is the land ruined and laid waste like a wilderness, so that no one passes through?
    Daniel 12:10
    Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.
    John 8:47
    Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.
    John 18:37
    Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world - to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.
  4. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:29
    The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.
    Luke 2:34
    And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed
    2 Corinthians 2:16
    To one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
  5. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:29
    The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.
    Luke 2:34
    And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed
    2 Corinthians 2:16
    To one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.