1. Israel, return to the Lord your God,because your sins have made you fall.
2. Come back to the Lordand say these words to him:“Take away all our sinand kindly receive us,and we will keep the promises we made to you.
3. Assyria cannot save us,nor will we trust in our horses.We will not say again, ‘Our gods,’to the things our hands have made.You show mercy to orphans.”
4. The Lord says,“I will forgive them for leaving meand will love them freely,because I am not angry with them anymore.
5. I will be like the dew to Israel,and they will blossom like a lily.Like the cedar trees in Lebanon,their roots will be firm.