Chapter 14 God wants Israel returned

1 O israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, 

Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.

3 Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, 

Ye are our gods: for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.

4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

5 I will be [as] the dew unto Israel: he shall grow [as] the lily, and cast forth his roots [as] Lebanon.

6 His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be [as] the olive tree, and his smell [as] Lebanon.

7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive [as] the corn, and grow [as] the vine: the scent thereof shall be [as] the wine of Lebanon.

8 Ephraim shall say, 

What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am [like] a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.

9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways (of the LORD) are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.