Israel’s Future Blessing
1[a]Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God,
For you have stumbled [b]because of your iniquity.
2Take words with you and return to the Lord.
Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity
And [c]receive us graciously,
That we may present [d]the fruit of our lips.
3“Assyria will not save us,
We will not ride on horses;
Nor will we say again, ‘Our god,’
To the work of our hands;
For in You the [e]orphan finds mercy.”
4I will heal their apostasy,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from them.
5I will be like the dew to Israel;
He will blossom like the lily,
And he will [f]take root like the cedars of Lebanon.
6His shoots will [g]sprout,
And his [h]beauty will be like the olive tree
And his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.
7Those who live in his shadow
Will [i]again raise grain,
And they will blossom like the vine.
His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.
8O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?
It is I who answer and look after [j]you.
I am like a luxuriant cypress;
From Me comes your fruit.
9Whoever 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.