O Loved One, return to the LORD your God! You have stumbled because of your selfishness;
Take these words with you, Loved One, and return to the LORD, saying,
“Take away all my selfishness”.
God shall receive Loved One graciously. Loved One will offer the sacrifices from their lips.
The government shall not save Loved One, neither will technology Loved One.
Nor will Loved One say any more to the what they have made or accomplished,
‘You are my gods, for in You the fatherless finds mercy.’
“I will heal Loved One‘s backsliding, I will love them freely,
My anger has turned away from them.
I will be like morning dew to Loved One; and they shall grow like the lily,
And lengthen their roots like the trees of Lebanon.
Loved One‘s branches shall spread; Their beauty shall be like an olive tree,
And their fragrance like that of Lebanon.
Those who dwell under their shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain,
and grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.
Loved One shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with anything that I was trusting in?’
God has heard and watched over Loved One.
Loved One is like a green cypress tree;
God’s fruit is found in them.
Who is wise? Understand these things!
Who is prudent? Know this:
The best life you can have is to follow the path God has set for you.
The humble (like Loved One can be) will walk in them.
The proud, arrogant, and self-righteous (also like Loved One could be), will stumble over and over.
Hosea 14, NAPSV