Chapter 14
In the last days, Ephraim will repent and return unto the Lord.
1 O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast afallen 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 arender the bcalves of our lips.
3 aAsshur shall not bsave us; we will not ride upon chorses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee the dfatherless findeth mercy.
4 ¶ I will heal their backsliding, I will alove them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
5 I will be as the adew 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 aolive 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 awise, and he shall understand these things? bprudent, and he shall know them? for the cways of the Lord are right, and the just shall dwalk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.