1
aReturn, O Israel, to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your biniquity.
2
Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him, "aTake away all iniquity And receive us graciously, That we may bpresent the fruit of our lips.
3
"Assyria will not save us, We will anot ride on horses; Nor will we say again, 'bOur god,' To the cwork of our hands; For in dYou the orphan finds mercy."
4
I will aheal their apostasy, I will blove them freely, For My anger has cturned away from them.
5
I will be like the adew to Israel; He will blossom like the blily, And he will take root like the cedars of cLebanon.
6
His shoots will sprout, And his beauty will be like the aolive tree And his fragrance like the cedars of bLebanon.
7
Those who alive in his shadow Will again raise bgrain, And they will blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.
8
O Ephraim, what more have I to do with aidols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like a luxuriant bcypress; From cMe comes your fruit.
9
aWhoever is wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the bways of the Lord are right, And the crighteous will walk in them, But dtransgressors will stumble in them.