Chapter 14
1 Israel, return to Yahweh your God; for you have fallen because of your sin.
2 Take words with you , and return to Yahweh . Tell him , "Forgive all our sins , and accept that which is good; so we offer bulls as we vowed of our lips.
3 Assyria can ’t save us . We won’t ride on horses; neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ‘ Our gods!’ for in you the fatherless finds mercy ."
4 " I will heal their waywardness. I will love them freely; for my anger is turned away from them .
5 I will be like the dew to Israel. He will blossom like the lily, and send down his roots like Lebanon.
6 His branches will spread, and his beauty will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon .
7 Men will dwell in his shade. They will revive like the grain, and blossom like the vine. Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon .
8 Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols? I answer , and will take care of him . I am like a green cypress tree ; from me your fruit is found."
9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is prudent, that he may know them ? For the ways of Yahweh are right, and the righteous walk in them , but the rebellious stumble in them .