Israel’s Future Blessing

1 1aReturn, O Israel, to the Lord your God,

For you have stumbled 2because of your biniquity.

2 Take words with you and return to the Lord.

Say to Him, “aTake away all iniquity

And 1receive us graciously,

That we may bpresent 2the fruit of our lips.

3 “Assyria will not save us,

We will anot ride on horses;

Nor will we say again, ‘bOur god,’

To the cwork of our hands;

For in dYou the 1orphan finds mercy.”

4 I will aheal their apostasy,

I will blove them freely,

For My anger has cturned away from them.

5 I will be like the adew to Israel;

He will blossom like the blily,

And he will 1take root like the cedars of cLebanon.

6 His shoots will 1sprout,

And his 2beauty will be like the aolive tree

And his fragrance like the cedars of bLebanon.

7 Those who alive in his shadow

Will 1again raise bgrain,

And they will blossom like the vine.

His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

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

It is I who answer and look after 1you.

I am like a luxuriant bcypress;

From cMe comes your fruit.

9 aWhoever is wise, let him understand these things;

Whoever is discerning, let him know them.

For the bways of the Lord are right,

And the crighteous will walk in them,

But dtransgressors will stumble in them.