Study Desk

^[a]Return,^(a) Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins^(b) have been your downfall!^(c)

Take words with you and return to the Lord . Say to him: "Forgive^(d) all our sins and receive us graciously,^(e) that we may offer the fruit of our lips.^[b](f)

Assyria cannot save us;^(g) we will not mount warhorses.^(h) We will never again say ‘Our gods'⁽ⁱ⁾ to what our own hands have made,^(j) for in you the fatherless^(k) find compassion."

"I will heal^(l) their waywardness^(m) and love them freely,⁽ⁿ⁾ for my anger has turned away^(o) from them.

I will be like the dew^(p) to Israel; he will blossom like a lily.^(q) Like a cedar of Lebanon^(r) he will send down his roots;^(s)

his young shoots will grow. His splendor will be like an olive tree,^(t) his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.^(u)

People will dwell again in his shade;^(v) they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom^(w) like the vine— Israel's fame will be like the wine^(x) of Lebanon.^(y)

Ephraim, what more have I^[c] to do with idols?^(z) I will answer him and care for him. I am like a flourishing juniper;^(aa) your fruitfulness comes from me."

Who is wise?^(ab) Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand.^(ac) The ways of the Lord are right;^(ad) the righteous walk^(ae) in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.