Read the Bible

¹ Israel, return! Come back
to the Lord, your God.
    Sin has made you fall.
² Return to the Lord and say,
    "Please forgive our sins.
Accept our good sacrifices
    of praise instead of bulls.^[a]
3 Assyria can't save us,
    and chariots can't help.
So we will no longer worship
    the idols we have made.
Our Lord, you show mercy
    to orphans."

⁴ Israel, you have rejected me,
    but my anger is gone;
I will heal you and love you
    without limit.
⁵ I will be like the dew—
then you will blossom like lilies
    and have roots like a tree.^[b]
6 Your branches will spread
with the beauty
    of an olive tree
and with the aroma
    of Lebanon Forest.
⁷ You will rest in my shade,
    and your grain will grow.
You will blossom
    like a vineyard
and be famous as the wine
    from Lebanon.

⁸ Israel, give up your idols!
I will answer your prayers
    and take care of you.^[c]
I am that glorious tree,
    the source of your fruit.^[d]

⁹ If you are wise, you will know
    and understand what I mean.
I am the Lord, and I lead you
    along the right path.
If you obey me,
    we will walk together,
but if you are wicked,
    you will stumble.