Israel’s Future Blessing
1 O Israel, return [in repentance] to the Lord your God,
For you have stumbled and fallen [visited by tragedy], because of your sin.
2 Take the words [confessing your guilt] with you and return to the Lord.
Say to Him, "Take away all our wickedness;
Accept what is good and receive us graciously,
So that we may present the fruit of our lips (gratitude). [Heb 13:15]
3 "Assyria will not save us;
We will not ride on horses [relying on military might],
Nor will we say again to [the idols who are] the work of our hands,
‘You are our gods.’
For in You [O Lord] the orphan finds love and compassion and mercy."
4 I will heal their apostasy and faithlessness;
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from Israel.
5 I shall be like the dew to Israel;
He will blossom like the lily,
And he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon.
6 His shoots will sprout,
And his beauty will be like the olive tree
And his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.
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.
8 O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?
It is I who have answered and will care for you and watch over you.
I am like a luxuriant cypress tree;
With Me your fruit is found [which is to nourish you].
9 Whoever is [spiritually] wise, let him understand these things;
Whoever is [spiritually] discerning and understanding, let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right,
And the righteous will walk in them,
But transgressors will stumble and fall in them. [Ps 107:43; Is 26:7; Jer 9:12; Dan 12:10]