Hosea 14 - Legacy Standard Bible

Hosea 14

Yahweh’s Anger Turns Away from Israel

Return, O Israel, to Yahweh your God,

For you have stumbled in your iniquity.

Take words with you and return to Yahweh.

Say to Him, “Forgive all iniquity

And take what is good,

That we may pay in full the fruit of our lips.

Assyria will not save us;

We will not ride on horses,

Nor will we say again, ‘Our god,’

To the work of our hands;

For in You the orphan finds compassion.”

I will heal their turning away from Me;

I will love them freely,

For My anger has turned away from them.

I will be like the dew to Israel;

He will flourish like the lily,

And he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon.

His shoots will go forth,

And his splendor will be like the olive tree

And his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.

Those who live in his shadow

Will again raise grain,

And they will flourish like the vine.

His name of remembrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.

O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?

It is I who answer and look after you.

I am like a luxuriant cypress;

From Me comes your fruit.

Whoever is wise, so let him discern these things;

Whoever is discerning, let him know them.

For the ways of Yahweh are right,

And the righteous will walk in them,

But transgressors will stumble in them.

Isaiah 1

Judah, a Sinful Nation

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he beheld in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. 2

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth;

For Yahweh speaks,

“Sons I have reared and raised up,

But they have transgressed against Me.

An ox knows its owner,

And a donkey its master’s manger,

But Israel does not know;

My people do not perceive.”

Alas, sinful nation,

People heavy with iniquity,

Seed of evildoers,

Sons who act corruptly!

They have forsaken Yahweh;

They have spurned the Holy One of Israel;

They have become estranged from Him.

Where will you be stricken again,

As you continue in your rebellion?

The whole head is sick,

And the whole heart is faint.

From the sole of the foot even to the head

There is nothing sound in it,

Only bruises, wounds, and raw wounds,

Not pressed out, not bandaged,

Not softened with oil.

Your land is desolate;

Your cities are burned with fire;

Your fields—strangers are devouring them in your presence;

It is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.

The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard,

Like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

Unless Yahweh of hosts

Had left us a few survivors,

We would be like Sodom,

We would be like Gomorrah.

Hear the word of Yahweh,

You rulers of Sodom;

Give ear to the law of our God,

You people of Gomorrah.

“What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?”

Says Yahweh.

“I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams

And the fat of fed cattle;

And in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats I take no pleasure.

When you come to appear before Me,

Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?

Bring your worthless offerings no longer,

Incense is an abomination to Me.

New moon and sabbath, the calling of convocation—

I cannot endure wickedness and the solemn assembly.

My soul hates your new moon festivals and your appointed times,

They have become a burden to Me;

I am weary of bearing them.

So when you spread out your hands in prayer,

I will hide My eyes from you;

Indeed, even though you multiply prayers,

I will not listen.

Your hands are full of blood.

“Wash yourselves, purify yourselves;

Remove the evil of your deeds from before My eyes.

Cease to do evil,

Learn to do good;

Seek justice,

Reprove the ruthless,

Execute justice for the orphan,

Plead for the widow.

“Come now, and let us reason together,”

Says Yahweh,

“Though your sins are as scarlet,

They will be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They will be like wool.

If you are willing and obey,

You will eat the best of the land;

But if you refuse and rebel,

You will be eaten by the sword.”

For the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.

Zion Will Be Redeemed with Justice

How the faithful city has become a harlot,

She who was full of justice!

Righteousness once lodged in her,

But now murderers.

Your silver has become dross,

Your drink diluted with water.

Your rulers are rebels

And companions of thieves;

Everyone loves a bribe

And pursues rewards.

They do not execute justice for the orphan,

Nor does the widow’s plea come before them.

Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of hosts,

The Mighty One of Israel, declares,

“Ah, I will be comforted concerning My adversaries,

And I will avenge Myself on My enemies.

I will also turn My hand against you,

And will smelt away your dross as with lye

And will remove all your alloy.

Then I will have your judges return as at the first,

And your counselors as at the beginning;

Afterwards you will be called the city of righteousness,

A faithful town.”

Zion will be redeemed with justice

And her repentant ones with righteousness.

But transgressors and sinners will be broken together,

And those who forsake Yahweh will come to an end.

For you will be ashamed of the oaks which you have desired,

And you will be humiliated because of the gardens which you have chosen.

For you will be like an oak whose leaf withers away

Or as a garden that has no water.

And the strong man will become tinder,

His work also a spark.

Thus they shall both burn together,

And there will be none to quench them.

Luke 2

Jesus Is Born in Bethlehem

Now it happened that in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus for a census to be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was going to be registered for the census, each to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was with child. 6 Now it happened that while they were there, the days were fulfilled for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the guest room. 8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people. 11 For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

15 And it happened that when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 17 And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it marveled at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary was treasuring all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as was told them.

Jesus Presented at the Temple

21 And when eight days were fulfilled so that they could circumcise Him, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days for their cleansing according to the Law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the comfort of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms and blessed God, and said, 29

“Now Master, You are releasing Your slave in peace,

According to Your word.

For my eyes have seen Your salvation,

Which You prepared in the presence of all peoples,

A Light for revelation to the Gentiles,

And for the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And His father and mother were marveling at the things which were being said about Him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed— 35 and a sword will pierce through your own soul as well—that the thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” 36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Return to Nazareth

39 And when they had finished everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth. 40 Now the Child continued to grow and become strong, being filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

41 And His parents would go to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He became twelve years old, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; 43 and as they were returning, after finishing the days of the Feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents did not know. 44 But supposing Him to be in the caravan, they went a day’s journey, and they began searching for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem searching for Him. 46 And it happened that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. 48 When they saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Child, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” 49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were searching for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He had spoken to them. 51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them, and His mother was treasuring all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus was advancing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Psalm 35

Yahweh Be Magnified

Of David.

Contend, O Yahweh, with those who contend with me;

Fight against those who fight against me.

Take hold of shield and large shield

And rise up for my help.

Draw also the spear and the battle‑axe to meet those who pursue me;

Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life;

Let those who devise evil against me be turned back and humiliated.

Let them be like chaff before the wind,

With the angel of Yahweh driving them on.

Let their way be dark and slippery,

With the angel of Yahweh pursuing them.

For without cause they hid their net for me;

Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.

Let destruction, which he does not know, come upon him,

And let the net, which he hid, catch him;

Let him fall into it in destruction.

And my soul shall rejoice in Yahweh;

It shall be joyful in His salvation.

All my bones will say, “Yahweh, who is like You,

Who delivers the afflicted from him who is too strong for him,

And the afflicted and the needy from him who robs him?”

Malicious witnesses rise up,

Who ask me of things that I do not know.

They repay me evil for good,

It is bereavement to my soul.

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth;

I humbled my soul with fasting,

And my prayer kept returning to my bosom.

I walked about as though it were my friend or brother;

I bowed down mourning, as one who sorrows for a mother.

But at my stumbling they were glad and gathered themselves together;

The smiters whom I did not know gathered together against me,

They tore at me and never were silent.

Amongst the godless jesters at a feast,

They gnashed at me with their teeth.

Lord, how long will You look on?

Bring back my soul from their ravages,

My only life from the lions.

I will give You thanks in the great assembly;

I will praise You among a mighty people.

Let those who are wrongfully my enemies not be glad over me;

Nor let those who hate me without cause wink maliciously.

For they do not speak peace,

But they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.

They opened their mouth wide against me;

They said, “Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it!”

You have seen it, O Yahweh, do not keep silent;

O Lord, do not be far from me.

Stir up Yourself, and awake to my justice

And to my cause, my God and my Lord.

Judge me, O Yahweh my God, according to Your righteousness,

And do not let them be glad over me.

Do not let them say in their heart, “Aha, our desire!”

Do not let them say, “We have swallowed him up!”

Let those be ashamed and humiliated altogether who are glad at the evil done to me;

Let those be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves over me.

Let them shout for joy and be glad, who delight in my righteousness;

And let them say continually, “Yahweh be magnified,

Who delights in the peace of His slave.”

And my tongue shall utter Your righteousness

And Your praise all day long.