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

¶ O Israel, become converted 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 be converted unto 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 finds mercy.

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

¶ I will heal their rebellion; 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.

I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall flourish 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 glory 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.

Those that shall sit under his shadow shall return; they shall be given life as the wheat, and they shall flourish 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 then say, What have I to do any more with idols? I will hear him and gaze upon him; I will be unto him like a green fir tree; of me shall thy fruit be 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 that he might understand this? and prudent that he might know this? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the rebellious shall fall therein.