An Exhortation to Repentance

(Isaiah 57:14-21; Jeremiah 3:11-25; Zechariah 1:1-6)

1O ISRAEL, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

2Take with you words, and return unto the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and accept that which is good: so will we render as bullocks the offering of our lips.

3Asshur 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.

A Promise of God's Blessing

4I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him..

5I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall blossom as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

6His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.

7They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and blossom as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.

8Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have answered, and will regard him: I am like a green fir tree; from me is thy fruit found.

9Who 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 transgressors shall fall therein.