1[a]Return, Israel, to the LORD your God,

For you have stumbled [b]because of your wrongdoing.

2Take words with you and return to the LORD.

Say to Him, “Take away all guilt

And [c]receive us graciously,

So that we may present [d]the fruit of our lips.

3“Assyria will not save us,

We will not ride on horses;

Nor will we say again, ‘Our god’

To the work of our hands;

For in You the [e]orphan finds mercy.”

4I will heal their apostasy,

I will love them freely,

Because My anger has turned away from them.

5I will be like the dew to Israel;

He will blossom like the lily,

And he will [f]take root like the cedars of Lebanon.

6His shoots will [g]sprout,

His [h]majesty will be like the olive tree,

And his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.

7Those who live in his shadow

Will [i]again raise grain,

And they will blossom like the vine.

His fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?

It is I who answer and look after [j]you.

I am like a luxuriant juniper;

From Me [k]comes your fruit.

9Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

Whoever is discerning, let him know them.

For the ways of the LORD are right,

And the righteous will walk in them,

But wrongdoers will stumble in them.