Hosea 14:2
New International Version
Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.

New Living Translation
Bring your confessions, and return to the LORD. Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises.

English Standard Version
Take with you words and return to the LORD; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept what is good, and we will pay with bulls the vows of our lips.

Berean Standard Bible
Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.

King James Bible
Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.

New King James Version
Take words with you, And return to the LORD. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.

New American Standard Bible
Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, “Take away all guilt And receive us graciously, So that we may present the fruit of our lips.

NASB 1995
Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity And receive us graciously, That we may present the fruit of our lips.

NASB 1977
Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity, And receive us graciously, That we may present the fruit of our lips.

Legacy Standard Bible
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.

Amplified Bible
Take the words [confessing your guilt] with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, “Take away all our wickedness; Accept what is good and receive us graciously, So that we may present the fruit of our lips (gratitude).

Christian Standard Bible
Take words of repentance with you and return to the LORD. Say to him, “Forgive all our iniquity and accept what is good, so that we may repay you with praise from our lips.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Take words of repentance with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Forgive all our sin and accept what is good, so that we may repay You with praise from our lips.

American Standard Version
Take with you words, and return unto Jehovah: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and accept that which is good: so will we render as bullocks the offering of our lips.

Contemporary English Version
Return to the LORD and say, "Please forgive our sins. Accept our good sacrifices of praise instead of bulls.

English Revised Version
Take with you words, and return unto the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and accept that which is good: so will we render as bullocks the offering of our lips.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Return to the LORD, and say these things to him: "Forgive all our sins, and kindly receive us. Then we'll praise you with our lips.

Good News Translation
Return to the LORD, and let this prayer be your offering to him: "Forgive all our sins and accept our prayer, and we will praise you as we have promised.

International Standard Version
Bring a prepared speech with you as you return to the LORD. Say to him: 'Take away all our iniquity, and accept what is good. Then we will present the fruit of our lips.

Majority Standard Bible
Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: ?Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.

NET Bible
Return to the LORD and repent! Say to him: "Completely forgive our iniquity; accept our penitential prayer, that we may offer the praise of our lips as sacrificial bulls.

New Heart English Bible
Take words with you, and return to the LORD. Tell him, "Forgive all our sins, and accept that which is good, and we will offer the fruit of our lips.

Webster's Bible Translation
Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say to him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.

World English Bible
Take words with you, and return to Yahweh. Tell him, “Forgive all our sins, and accept that which is good; so we offer bulls as we vowed of our lips.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Take words with you, and turn to YHWH, "" Say to Him, Take away all iniquity, and give good, "" And we render the fruit of our lips.

Young's Literal Translation
Take with you words, and turn to Jehovah, Say ye unto Him: 'Take away all iniquity, and give good, And we do render the fruit of our lips.

Smith's Literal Translation
Take with you words and turn back to Jehovah: say to him, Thou wilt take away all iniquity, and take good: and we will requite the fruits of our lips.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Take with you words, and return to the Lord, and say to him: Take away all iniquity, and receive the good: and we will render the calves of our lips.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Take these words with you and return to the Lord. And say to him, “Remove all iniquity and accept the good. And we will repay the calves of our lips.

New American Bible
Take with you words, and return to the LORD; Say to him, “Forgive all iniquity, and take what is good. Let us offer the fruit of our lips.

New Revised Standard Version
Take words with you and return to the LORD; say to him, “Take away all guilt; accept that which is good, and we will offer the fruit of our lips.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Pledge loyalty, and turn to the LORD your God; and pray to him, that he may forgive your iniquity and receive blessings; then he will recompense you for the prayer of your lips.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Take for yourselves words and be converted to LORD JEHOVAH your God and speak to him that he may forgive you your evil, and receive good, and he shall reward you the fruit of your lips
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Take with you words, And return unto the LORD; Say unto Him: 'Forgive all iniquity, And accept that which is good; So will we render for bullocks the offering of our lips.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Take with you words, and turn to the Lord your God: speak to him, that ye may not receive the reward of unrighteousness, but that ye may receive good things: and we will render in return the fruit of our lips.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
An Exhortation to Repentance
1Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. 2Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips. 3Assyria will not save us, nor will we ride on horses. We will never again say, ‘Our gods!’ to the work of our own hands. For in You the fatherless find compassion.”…

Cross References
Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Joel 2:13
So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Jeremiah 31:18-19
I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. / After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

Psalm 51:16-17
For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Zechariah 1:3
So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’

2 Chronicles 7:14
and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Ezekiel 18:30-32
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

Psalm 32:5
Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

Matthew 3:2
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Luke 15:18-19
I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 10:9-10
that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. / For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.


Treasury of Scripture

Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say to him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.

with.

Job 34:31,32
Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more: …

Joel 2:17
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

Matthew 6:9-13
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name…

away.

2 Samuel 12:13
And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.

2 Samuel 24:10
And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.

Job 7:21
And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

receive, etc.

Matthew 7:11
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Luke 11:13
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Luke 15:21-24
And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son…

the calves.

Psalm 69:30,31
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving…

Hebrews 13:15
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

1 Peter 2:5,9
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ…

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Hosea 14
1. An exhortation to repentance.
4. A promise of God's blessing.














Bring your confessions
The Hebrew word for "confessions" here is "dabar," which can mean words, speech, or matter. In the context of Hosea, it emphasizes the importance of verbal acknowledgment of sin. This act of bringing confessions is not merely a ritualistic practice but a heartfelt return to God, acknowledging one's sins and seeking His mercy. Historically, the Israelites were often called to repentance through the prophets, and this phrase underscores the necessity of sincere repentance as a precursor to divine forgiveness.

and return to the LORD
The Hebrew word "shuv" is used for "return," which implies a turning back or a restoration. This is a central theme in Hosea, where the prophet calls Israel to return to their covenant relationship with God. The historical context is significant here, as Israel had strayed into idolatry and moral decay. The call to return is both a plea and a promise that God is willing to restore those who genuinely seek Him.

Say to Him
This phrase indicates a direct communication with God, highlighting the personal nature of repentance. It is not enough to feel remorse; one must articulate it to God. This reflects the biblical principle that God desires a relationship with His people, one that involves honest and open communication.

'Forgive all our iniquity
The word "forgive" in Hebrew is "nasa," which means to lift, carry, or take away. This imagery is powerful, suggesting that God is willing to lift the burden of sin from His people. "Iniquity" refers to moral perversity or sin, and the plea for forgiveness acknowledges the depth of human sinfulness. In the conservative Christian perspective, this foreshadows the ultimate forgiveness offered through Christ's atoning sacrifice.

and receive us graciously
The Hebrew word for "graciously" is "tov," meaning good or pleasing. This request is for God to accept His people not based on their merit but on His goodness and grace. It reflects the biblical truth that salvation and acceptance by God are acts of divine grace, not human effort. Historically, this would have been a radical departure from the works-based righteousness prevalent in many ancient religions.

that we may offer the fruit of our lips
The "fruit of our lips" is a metaphor for praise and thanksgiving. In Hebrew, "peri" means fruit, and it signifies the natural outcome of a life transformed by God's grace. This phrase suggests that true repentance and forgiveness lead to a life of worship and gratitude. In the broader scriptural context, it aligns with the New Testament teaching that believers are to offer sacrifices of praise to God (Hebrews 13:15).

(2) Say unto him.--This putting of words into the lips of penitents and others is found in Psalm 66:3; Isaiah 48:20; Jeremiah 31:7. In the latter part of the verse render, Accept of good, and we will render as calves (or sacrificial offering) our lips--i.e., the words of true repentance which we take with us shall be our offerings in place of calves. (Comp. Psalm 51:17.)

Verse 2. - Take with you words, and turn to the Lord.

(1) Some render this clause. "Take with you [i.e. forget not, neglect not, but receive with obedient spirit] my words." This rendering is obviously erroneous.

(2) The correct translation is that of the Authorized Version, and the words referred to are such as express prayer for pardon and confession of sin - the audible sound of the heart's desires. There is an allusion, perhaps, to the requirement of the Law: "None shall appear before me empty." Not outward sacrifices, but words of confession, were the offering to be presented. Thus Cyril eloquently explains it: "Ye shall propitiate the Deity, not by making offerings of riches, not by dedicating gold, not by honoring him with silver vessels, not gladdening him by sacrifices of oxen, not by slaughtering of birds; but ye shall give him discourses and wish to praise the Lord of the universe, appeasing him." To the same purport is the exposition of Aben Ezra: "He desires not from you, when ye go to seek his favor, treasures or burnt offerings, only words with which ye are to confess;" so also Kimchi: "He does not require of you on your return to him silver or gold or offering, which the Israelites lavished at great expense on their idols, but good works with which ye are to confess your iniquities." Say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously. On turning to the Lord with their whole heart, not with their lips only, they are furnished with a form of sound words which God by his prophet puts into their mouth. Elsewhere a formula is prescribed, thus: "Publish ye, praise ye, and say, O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel" (Jeremiah 31:7); compare also Isaiah 48:20; Psalm 16:3; 1 Chronicles 16:35. The position of כָל before the verb creates a difficulty and causes diversity of rendering; for example,

(1) besides the ordinary rendering, which takes kol as holding its peculiar position by an hypallage, there is a modification of it: "All take away of iniquity." . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Bring
קְח֤וּ (qə·ḥū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3947: To take

your
עִמָּכֶם֙ (‘im·mā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

confessions
דְּבָרִ֔ים (də·ḇā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

and return
וְשׁ֖וּבוּ (wə·šū·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD.
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

Say
אִמְר֣וּ (’im·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to Him:
אֵלָ֗יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“Take away
תִּשָּׂ֤א (tiś·śā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

our iniquity
עָוֺן֙ (‘ā·wōn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

and receive
וְקַח־ (wə·qaḥ-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

[us] graciously,
ט֔וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

that we may present
וּֽנְשַׁלְּמָ֥ה (ū·nə·šal·lə·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

the fruit
פָרִ֖ים (p̄ā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6499: Young bull, steer

of our lips.
שְׂפָתֵֽינוּ׃ (śə·p̄ā·ṯê·nū)
Noun - fdc | first person common plural
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin


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OT Prophets: Hosea 14:2 Take words with you and return (Ho Hs Hos.)
Hosea 14:1
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