1 Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall!
2 and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.
3 we will not mount war-horses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.”
4 and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.
5 he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots;
6 His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
7 He will flourish like the grain. He will blossom like a vine, and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon.
8 I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me.”
9 Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.
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