1 Return, Israel, to Jehovah thy God; For thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

2 Take with you words, and turn to Jehovah, And say to him, -- "Take away all iniquity, and bring good; And we shall render to thee the calves of our lips.

3 The Assyrian shall not save us, On a horse we shall not mount, And we shall not henceforth say, -- Our gods,' to the works of our hands; For in thee will the fatherless find mercy."

4 I will heal their defections, I will love them freely; For turned aside is my fury from him.

5 I will be as dew to Israel; He shall flourish as the lily, He shall fix his roots as Libanus;

6 Spread shall his branches, And as that of the olive shall be his comeliness, And his fragrance like that of Libanus.

7 Refreshed shall they be who shall dwell under his shadow; They shall revive as the corn, and germinate like the vine His odor shall be like that of the wine of Libanus.

8 Ephraim shall say, "What have I to do any more with idols?" I have heard, and showed him favor, -- "I shall be to thee a shady fir-tree; -- From me is thy fruit found." Who is wise? and he will understand these things;

9 Who is intelligent? and he will know them: For right are the ways of Jehovah, And the just shall walk in them; But in them will the ungodly stumble.