Israel’s Future Blessing

1 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God,
          For you have stumbled because of your iniquity.

2 Take words with you and return to the LORD.
          Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity
          And receive us graciously,
          That we may present 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 orphan finds mercy.”

4 I will heal their apostasy,
          I will love them freely,
          For My anger has turned away from them.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
          He will blossom like the lily,
          And he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon.

6 His shoots will sprout,
          And his beauty will be like the olive tree
          And his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.

7 Those who live in his shadow
          Will again raise grain,
          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 idols?
          It is I who answer and look after you.
          I am like a luxuriant cypress;
          From Me comes your fruit.

9 Whoever 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.