A Call to Repentance

1a “Return, Israel, to the LORD your God,

for you have fallen due to your own iniquity.

2Bring a prepared speech with you

as you return to the LORD. Say to him:

‘Take away all ourb iniquity,

and accept what is good.

Then we will present the fruitc of our lips.

3Assyria won’t save us;

we won’t be riding on horses,

Nor will we be saying anymore to the work of our hands,

“You ared our God.”

Indeed, in you the orphan finds mercy.’

4“I will correct their apostasy,

loving them freely,

since my anger will have turned away from them.e

5I will be like the dew to Israel;

Israelf will blossom like a lily,

growing roots like the cedars ofg Lebanon.

6Israel’sh branches will spread out,

and its beauty will be like an olive tree,

with its scent like that of Lebanon.

7Those who live under its protectioni will surely return.

Their grain will flourish;

they will blossom like a vine,

and Israel’sj scent will be like wine from Lebanon.

8“Ephraim, what have I in common with idols?

I have listened and will pay attention to him.

I am like a flourishing cypress;

in me will your fruit be found.”

Concluding Counsel

9Whoever is wise, let him understand these things.

Whoever is discerning, let him know them.

For the ways of the LORD are right:

the righteous follow his example,

but the rebellious stumble in them.