1 ¶ O Israel, return to the LORD your God; for you have fallen because of your sin.

2 Take these words with you, and turn to the LORD: say to him, Take away our guilt, and receive us by your grace: that we might offer to you the praise of our lips.

3 Assyria will not save us; we will not ride upon horses: nor will we say any longer to the work of our hands, You are our god: for in you O Lord the fatherless finds mercy.

4 ¶ I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for my anger will be turned away from him.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel: he will grow like the lily, and spread his roots like the trees of Lebanon.

6 His branches will spread, his beauty will be like that of the olive tree, and his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.

7 Those who live in his shadow will return; they will revive like the grain, and blossom like a vine: their fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 ¶ Ephraim will say, Why should I have anything more to do with idols? I have humbled him, and watch over him. I am like an evergreen tree, and your fruit comes from me.

9 Let the one who is wise understand these things, and let the one with discernment know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous will walk in them: but transgressors will stumble over them.