1 I srael, return to Yahweh your God; for you have fallen because of your sin.

O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

2 T ake words with you, and return to Yahweh. Tell him, “Forgive all our sins, and accept that which is good: so we offer our lips like bulls.

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 A ssyria 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.”

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 waywardness. I will love them freely; for my anger is turned away from him.

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel. He will blossom like the lily, and send down his roots like Lebanon.

I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

6 H is branches will spread, and his beauty will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon.

His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.

7 M en 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.

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 E phraim, 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.”

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 W ho is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of Yahweh are right, and the righteous walk in them; But the rebellious stumble in them.

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.