Repentance to Bring Blessing
1
Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God.
Your sins have been your downfall!
2
Take words with you 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
Assyria cannot save us; 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
"I will heal their waywardness and love them freely,
for my anger has turned away from them.
5
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossoms like a lily.
Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots;
6
his young shoots will grow.
His splendor will be like an olive tree,
his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
7
Men will dwell again in his shade.
He will flourish like the grain.
He will blossom like a vine, and
his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon.
8
O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?
I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree;
your fruitfulness comes from me."
9
Who is wise? He will realize these things.
Who isdiscerning? He will understand them.
The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them,
but the rebellious stumble in them.
