14:1  Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity.

14:2  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.

14:3  "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."

14:4  I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from them.

14:5  I will be like the dew to Israel; He will blossom like the lily, And he will take root like {the cedars of} Lebanon.

14:6  His shoots will sprout, And his beauty will be like the olive tree And his fragrance like {the cedars of} Lebanon.

14:7  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.

14:8  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.

14:9  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.