3 Take with you words,and return to the Lord;Say to him, “Forgive all iniquity,and take what is good.Let us offer the fruit of our lips.
4 Assyria will not save us,nor will we mount horses;We will never again say, ‘Our god,’to the work of our hands;for in you the orphan finds compassion.”
5 I will heal their apostasy,I will love them freely;for my anger is turned away from them.
6 I will be like the dew for Israel:he will blossom like the lily;He will strike root like the Lebanon cedar,
7 and his shoots will go forth.His splendor will be like the olive treeand his fragrance like Lebanon cedar.
8 Again they will live in his shade;they will raise grain,They will blossom like the vine,and his renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.
9 Ephraim! What more have I to do with idols?I have humbled him, but I will take note of him.I am like a verdant cypress tree.From me fruit will be found for you!