O Israel, return unto theLORDthy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
Take with you words, and turn to theLORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receiveusgraciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands,Ye areour gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall reviveasthe corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereofshall beas the wine of Lebanon.
Ephraimshall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heardhim, and observed him: Iamlike a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
Whoiswise, and he shall understand thesethings? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of theLORDareright, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.