14
1 Israel, return
to the LORD
your God;
for you have
fallen because of
your sin.
2 Take words
with you, and
return to the
LORD.
Tell him, “Forgive all
our sins,
and accept that
which is good;
so we offer bulls
as we vowed of
our lips.
3 Assyria can’t
save us.
We won’t ride on horses;
neither will we
say any more
to the work
of our hands, ‘Our
gods!’
for in you
the fatherless finds mercy.”
4 “I
will heal their waywardness.
I will love
them freely;
for my anger
is turned away
from them.
5 I
will be like
the dew to Israel.
He will blossom
like the lily,
and send down
his roots like Lebanon.
6 His branches
will spread,
and his beauty
will be like
the olive tree,
and his fragrance
like Lebanon.
7 Men will dwell
in his shade.
They will revive like
the grain,
and blossom like
the vine.
Their fragrance
will be like
the wine of
Lebanon.
8 Ephraim, what
have I to
do any more
with idols?
I answer, and
will take care of
him.
I am like a green
cypress tree;
from me your fruit
is found.”
9 Who
is wise, that he
may understand these things?
Who is prudent,
that he may know
them?
For the ways of
the LORD are right,
and the righteous walk
in them,
but the rebellious stumble
in them.