1  O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. 2  Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.* receive…: or, give good 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 findeth mercy.

4 ¶ I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. 5  I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.† grow: or, blossom‡ cast…: Heb. strike 6  His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.§ spread: Heb. go 7  They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.** grow: or, blossom†† scent: or, memorial

8  Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found. 9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.