1 Israel, return! Come back

to the Lord, your God.

Sin has made you fall.

2 Return to the Lord and say,

"Please forgive our sins.

Accept our good sacrifices

of praise instead of bulls.*

3 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."

4 Israel, you have rejected me,

but my anger is gone;

I will heal you and love you

without limit.

5 I will be like the dew—

then you will blossom like lilies

and have roots like a tree.*

6 Your branches will spread

with the beauty

of an olive tree

and with the aroma

of Lebanon Forest.

7 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.

8 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.*

9 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.