Israel Restored at Last
1 O Israel,return to theLordyour God,
For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
2 Take words with you,
And return to theLord.
Say to Him,
“Take away all iniquity;
Receiveusgraciously,
# For we will offer thesacrifices of our lips.
3 Assyria shallnot save us,
# We will not ride on horses,
Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘Youareour gods.’
# For in You the fatherless finds mercy.”
4 “I will heal theirbacksliding,
# I willlove them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him.
5 I will be like thedew to Israel;
He shall grow like the lily,
And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
6 His branches shall spread;
# His beauty shall be like an olive tree,
# Andhis fragrance like Lebanon.
7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;
They shall be revivedlikegrain,
And grow like a vine.
Their scentshallbelike the wine of Lebanon.
8 “Ephraimshallsay,‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’
I have heard and observed him.
Iamlike a green cypress tree;
# Your fruit is found in Me.”
9 Whoiswise?
Let him understand these things.
Whoisprudent?
Let him know them.
# Forthe ways of theLordareright;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them.