1Return, O Israel, to Yahweh your God,
for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. 2Take with you words
and return to Yahweh;
say to him,
"Take away all iniquity;
accept that which is good
and we will render
the fruit of our lips. 3Assyria shall not save us,
we will not ride upon horses;
and we will say no more, 'Our God,'
to the work of our hands.
In you the orphan finds mercy."
the LORD promises new life for Israel.Hs.14.4-8
4I will heal their faithlessness;
I will love them freely,
for my anger has turned from them. 5I will be as the dew to Israel;
he shall blossom as the lily,
he shall strike root as the poplar; 6his shoots shall spread out;
his beauty shall be like the olive,
and his fragrance like Lebanon. 7They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow,
they shall flourish as a garden;
they shall blossom as the vine,
their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon. 8O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?
It is I who answer and look after you.
I am like an evergreen cypress,
from me comes your fruit.
Conclusion.Hs.14.9
9Whoever is wise,
let him understand these things;
whoever is discerning,
let him know them;
for the ways of Yahweh are right,
and the upright walk in them,
but transgressors stumble in them.