| 1 ¶ O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
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| 2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive1 us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.
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| 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.
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| 4 ¶ I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.
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| 5 I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow2 as the lily, and cast3 forth his roots as Lebanon.
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| 6 His branches shall spread,4 and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
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| 7 They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow5 as the vine: the scent6 thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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