1 O Israel, become converted unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. 2 Take with you words, and be converted unto the LORD; say unto him, Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously, so will we render the calves of our lips. 3 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses, neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods, for in thee the fatherless finds mercy.
4 I will heal their rebellion; I will love them freely; for my anger is turned away from them. 5 I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall flourish as the lily and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. 6 His branches shall spread, and his glory shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. 7 Those that shall sit under his shadow shall return; they shall be given life as the wheat, and they shall flourish as the vine; the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
8 Ephraim shall then say, What have I to do any more with idols? I will hear him and gaze upon him; I will be unto him like a green fir tree; of me shall thy fruit be found.
9 Who is wise that he might understand this? and prudent that he might know this? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the rebellious shall fall therein.