[1] Return, Israel, to the LORD your God; you have stumbled because of your wickedness. [2] Prepare to speak and return to the LORD; say to the LORD, “Forgive all wickedness; and receive the good. Instead of bulls, let us offer what we can say: [3] Assyria won’t save us; we won’t ride upon horses; we will no longer say, ‘Our God,’ to the work of our hands. In you the orphan finds compassion.” [4] I will heal their faithlessness; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them. [5] I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily; he will cast out his roots like the forests of Lebanon. [6] His branches will spread out; his beauty will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like that of Lebanon. [7] They will again live beneath my shadow, they will flourish like a garden; they will blossom like the vine, their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon. [8] Ephraim, what do idols have to do with me? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like a green cypress tree; your fruit comes from me. [9] Whoever is wise understands these things. Whoever observes carefully knows them. Truly, the LORD’s ways are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but evildoers will stumble in them.
