1 Turn back, O Israel, to the LORD your God; your iniquity has made you fall.
2 Bring words with you as you return to the LORD. Say to him, "Forgive all iniquity and accept what is good, so that we may offer our lips as bulls.
3 Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount horses, and never again will we call the work of our hands 'Our gods.' For it is with you that the orphan finds compassion."
4 I will heal them of their turning away; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned back from him.
5 I will be as dew for Israel; he will flower like the lily and send down his roots like Lebanon.
6 His young branches will spread; his beauty will be like that of the olive tree, and his scent like Lebanon's.
7 Those who live in his shade will come back; they will bring grain to life and bloom like the vine; his fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.
8 Ephraim will say, "What more have I to do with idols?" I have answered him, and I will watch over him. I am like a green cypress; from me your fruit is found.
9 Whoever is wise will grasp these things; whoever has discernment will know them. For the LORD's ways are straight: the righteous walk in them, but rebels stumble in them.