[1] Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. [2] Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity, and accept that which is good; and we will offer the fruit of our lips! [3] Assyria will not save us, we will not ride on horses. We will no longer say, 'Our God,' to the work of our hands. In You the orphan finds mercy." [4] I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him. [5] I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall grow like the lily and shall strike his roots like Lebanon. [6] His branches will spread out, and his beauty shall be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like that of Lebanon. [7] Those that dwell under his shadow will return, they will flourish like the grain and grow as a vine. Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon. [8] O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after him. I am like a green fir tree; your fruit is found in Me. [9] Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever prudent, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the just will walk in them; but the transgressors stumble in them.
