1 Repentance to Bring Blessing
1 Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God. 1 Your sins have been your downfall!
2 Take words with you 2 and return to the Lord. 2 Say to him: 2 "Forgive all our sins 2 and receive us graciously, 2 that we may offer the fruit of our lips.[a]
3 Assyria cannot save us; 3 we will not mount war-horses. 3 We will never again say 'Our gods' 3 to what our own hands have made, 3 for in you the fatherless find compassion."
4 "I will heal their waywardness 4 and love them freely, 4 for my anger has turned away from them.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel; 5 he will blossom like a lily. 5 Like a cedar of Lebanon 5 he will send down his roots; 6 his young shoots will grow. 6 His splendor will be like an olive tree, 6 his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
7 Men will dwell again in his shade. 7 He will flourish like the grain. 7 He will blossom like a vine, 7 and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon.
8 O Ephraim, what more have I[b] to do with idols? 8 I will answer him and care for him. 8 I am like a green pine tree; 8 your fruitfulness comes from me."
9 Who is wise? He will realize these things. 9 Who is discerning? He will understand them. 9 The ways of the Lord are right; 9 the righteous walk in them, 9 but the rebellious stumble in them.
