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1 ) O israel, return unto the LORD your God, for you have fallen by yours iniquity.
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2 ) Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive 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, All of you are our gods: for in you the fatherless finds 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 grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
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6 ) His branches shall spread, 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 grow as the vine: the scent 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 your 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.