A Promise of God’s Blessing

4 I will heal their apostasy;

I will freely love them,

for My anger has turned away from them.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel;

he will blossom like the lily

and take root like the cedars of Lebanon.

6 His shoots will sprout,

and his splendor will be like the olive tree,

his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.

7 They will return and dwell in his shade;

they will grow grain and blossom like the vine.

His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 O Ephraim,[fn] what have I to do

anymore with idols?

It is I who answer and watch over him.

I am like a flourishing cypress;[fn]

your fruit comes from Me.

9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

whoever is discerning, let him know them.

For the ways of the LORD are right,

and the righteous walk in them

but the rebellious stumble in them.