O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
2Take 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}
3Asshur 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.
4I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
5I 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}
6His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon. {spread: Heb. go}
7They 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}
8Ephraim {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.
9Who {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.