1Return, O Israel, unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast stumbled in thine iniquity. 2Take with you words, and return unto the LORD; say unto Him: 'Forgive all iniquity, and accept that which is good; so will we render for bullocks the offering of our lips. 3Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses; neither will we call any more the work of our hands 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 blossom as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. 6His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his fragrance as Lebanon. 7They that dwell under his shadow shall again make corn to grow, and shall blossom as the vine; the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. 8Ephraim shall say : 'What have I to do any more with idols?' As for Me, I respond and look on him; I am like a leafy cypress-tree; from Me is thy fruit found. 9Whoso is wise, let him understand these things, whoso is prudent, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the just do walk in them; but transgressors do stumble therein.