An exhortation to repentance -- Promise of blessing.

¹⁾O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

²⁾Take with you words, and turn to the Lord; say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously; so will we render the calves of our lips.

³⁾Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses; neither will we say anymore to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods; for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.

⁴⁾I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away from him.

⁵⁾I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

⁶⁾His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.

⁷⁾They that dwell under his shadow shall return: they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine; the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.

⁸⁾Ephraim shall say, What have I to do anymore with idols? I have heard him, and observed him; I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.

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