O<\/span> israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.<\/span><\/p>\n 2<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 3<\/sup>Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.<\/span> <\/p>\n 4<\/sup>I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.<\/span> <\/p>\n 5<\/sup>I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.<\/span> <\/p>\n 6<\/sup>His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.<\/span> <\/p>\n 7<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n 8<\/sup>Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.<\/span> <\/p>\n 9<\/sup>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.<\/span> <\/p>\n