1. O ISRAEL, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
2. Take with you words, and return unto the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and accept that which is good: so will we render {cf15i as} bullocks {cf15i the offering 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, {cf15i 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 blossom 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 {cf15i as} the corn, and blossom as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
8. Ephraim {cf15i shall say}, What have I to do any more with idols? I have answered, and will regard 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, mad the just shall walk in them; but transgressors shall fall therein.