Israel,
return! Come back to the Lord, your God.
Sin has made you fall.
Return to the Lord and say, "Please forgive our sins.
Accept our good sacrifices of praise instead of bulls.
Assyria
can't save us,
and chariots can't help.
So we will no longer worship
the idols we have made.
Our Lord, you show mercy
to orphans."
Israel, you
have rejected me,
but my anger is gone;
I will heal you and love you
without limit.
I will be like the dew--
then you will blossom like lilies
and have roots like a tree.
Your branches will spread
with the beauty
of an olive tree
and with the aroma
of Lebanon Forest.
You will rest in my shade,
and your grain will grow.
You will blossom
like a vineyard
and be famous as the wine
from Lebanon.
Israel,
give up your idols!
I will answer your prayers
and take care of you.
I am that glorious tree,
the source of your fruit.
If you are wise, you will know
and understand what I mean.
I am the Lord, and I lead you
along the right path.
If you obey me,
we will walk together,
but if you are wicked,
you will stumble.
Hosea 14:1-10