[1] O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. [2] Take with you words, and turn to the LORD; say unto Him, "Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously, so will we offer the calves of our lips. [3] Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses, neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, 'Ye are our gods'; for in Thee the fatherless findeth mercy." [4] "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for Mine anger is turned away from him. [5] I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. [6] His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. [7] They that dwell under his shadow shall return. They shall revive as the corn and grow as the vine; the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. [8] Ephraim shall say, 'What have I to do any more with idols?' I have heard him, and observed him; I am like a green fir tree. From Me is thy fruit found." [9] Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? Prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein.
