1
O Israel, return unto the Lord, thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
2
Take with you words, and turn to the Lord. Say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously; so will we render the calves of our lips.
3
Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses; neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods; for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
4
I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away from him.
5
I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the lily and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
6
His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
7
They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn and grow as the vine; the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
8
Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him and observed him; I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
9
Who is wise, and he shall understand these things, prudent, and he shall know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein.