8 Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?

I will answer him and care for him.

I am like a flourishing juniper;

your fruitfulness comes from me.”

9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things.

Who is discerning? Let them understand.

The ways of the Lord are right;

the righteous walk in them,

but the rebellious stumble in them.

8 O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?

It is I who answer and look after you.

I am like an evergreen cypress;

from me comes your fruit.

9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

whoever is discerning, let him know them;

for the ways of the Lord are right,

and the upright walk in them,

but transgressors stumble in them.

8 “O Israel, stay away from idols!

I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you.

I am like a tree that is always green;

all your fruit comes from me.”

9 Let those who are wise understand these things.

Let those with discernment listen carefully.

The paths of the Lord are true and right,

and righteous people live by walking in them.

But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.

8 “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’

I have heard and observed him.

I am like a green cypress tree;

Your fruit is found in Me.”

9 Who is wise?

Let him understand these things.

Who is prudent?

Let him know them.

For the ways of the Lord are right;

The righteous walk in them,

But transgressors stumble in them.

8 Israel, have nothing to do with idols.

I, the Lord, am the one who answers your prayers and watches over you.

I am like a green pine tree;

your blessings come from me.”

9 A wise person will know these things,

and an understanding person will take them to heart.

The Lord’s ways are right.

Good people live by following them,

but those who turn against God die because of them.

8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have answered, and will regard him: I am like a green firtree; from me is thy fruit found.

9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things? prudent, that he may know them? for the ways of Jehovah are right, and the just shall walk in them; but transgressors shall fall therein.

8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? (I answer him, and I will observe him.) I am like a green fir-tree. —From me is thy fruit found. 9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? intelligent, and he shall know them? For the ways of Jehovah are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein.

8 “The people of Ephraim will have nothing more to do with idols. 

I will answer them and take care of them. 

I am like a growing pine tree. 

Their fruit comes from me.” 

9 Wise people will understand these things. 

A person with insight will recognize them. 

The Lord’s ways are right. 

Righteous people live by them. 

Rebellious people stumble over them. 

8 Ephraim, why should I have anything more

to do with idols?

It is I who answer and watch over him.

I am like a flourishing pine tree;

your fruit comes from Me.

9 Let whoever is wise understand these things,

and whoever is insightful recognize them.

For the ways of the Lord are right,

and the righteous walk in them,

but the rebellious stumble in them.

8 O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?

It is I who answer and look after you.

I am like an evergreen cypress;

your faithfulness comes from me.

9 Those who are wise understand these things;

those who are discerning know them.

For the ways of the Lord are right,

and the upright walk in them,

but transgressors stumble in them.

8 O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?

I myself have answered and looked after you.

I am like a luxuriant cypress;

your fruit comes from me.

9 Who is wise that he can understand these things?

Who is discerning that he knows them?

The ways of Yahweh are right,

and the righteous walk in them;

but transgressors stumble in them.

8 Ephraim will have nothing more to do with other gods.

I will answer the prayers of my people.

I will take good care of them.

I will be like a green pine tree to them.

All of the fruit they bear will come from me.”

9 If you are wise, you will realize

that what I’ve said is true.

If you have understanding,

you will know what it means.

The ways of the Lord are right.

People who are right with God live the way he wants them to.

But those who refuse to obey him trip and fall.

8 O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?

It is I who answer and look after you.

I am like a luxuriant cypress;

From Me comes your fruit.

9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

Whoever is discerning, let him know them.

For the ways of the Lord are right,

And the righteous will walk in them,

But transgressors will stumble in them.