Repentance to Bring Blessing

14 ^[a]Return, Israel, to the Lord your God.Your sins have been your downfall!² Take words with youand return to the Lord.Say to him:“Forgive all our sinsand receive us graciously,that we may offer the fruit of our lips.^[b]3 Assyria cannot save us;we will not mount warhorses.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 waywardnessand love them freely,for my anger has turned away from them.⁵ I will be like the dew to Israel;he will blossom like a lily.Like a cedar of Lebanonhe 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 People will dwell again in his shade;they will flourish like the grain,they will blossom like the vine—Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.⁸ Ephraim, what more have I^[c] to do with idols?I will answer him and care for him.I am like a flourishing juniper;your fruitfulness comes from me.”

⁹ Who is wise? Let them realize these things.Who is discerning? Let them understand.The ways of the Lord are right;the righteous walk in them,but the rebellious stumble in them.