1Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity.
2Take 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.
3'Assyria will not save us, We will not ride on horses; Nor will we say again, 'Our god,' To the work of our hands; For in You the orphan finds mercy.'
4I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from them.
5I will be like the dew to Israel; He will blossom like the lily, And he will take root like [the cedars of] Lebanon.
6His shoots will sprout, And his beauty will be like the olive tree And his fragrance like [the cedars of] Lebanon.
7Those who live in his shadow Will again raise grain, And they will blossom like the vine. His renown [will be] like the wine of Lebanon.
8O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like a luxuriant cypress; From Me comes your fruit.
9Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; [Whoever] is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, And the righteous will walk in them, But transgressors will stumble in them.