1 aReturn, O Israel, to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled 2because of your biniquity.
2Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, " aTake away all iniquity And 1receive us graciously, That we may bpresent 2the fruit of our lips.
3"Assyria will not save us, We will anot ride on horses; Nor will we say again, ` bOur god,' To the cwork of our hands; For in dYou the 1orphan finds mercy."
4I will aheal their apostasy, I will blove them freely, For My anger has cturned away from them.
5I will be like the adew to Israel; He will blossom like the blily, And he will 1take root like the cedars of cLebanon.
6His shoots will 1sprout, And his 2beauty will be like the aolive tree And his fragrance like the cedars of bLebanon.
7Those who alive in his shadow Will 1again raise bgrain, 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 aidols? It is I who answer and look after 1you. I am like a luxuriant bcypress; From cMe comes your fruit.
9aWhoever is wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the bways of the LORD are right, And the crighteous will walk in them, But dtransgressors will stumble in them.