14:1 Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall!
14:2 Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may 1974 offer the fruit of our lips. [Or offer our lips as sacrifices of bulls]
14:3 Assyria cannot save us we will not mount war-horses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.
14:4 I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.
14:5 I will be like the dew to Israel he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots
14:6 his young shoots will grow. His splendour will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon.
14:7 Men will dwell again in his shade. He will flourish like the corn. He will blossom like a vine, and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon.
14:8 O Ephraim, what more have I [Or What more has Ephraim] to do with idols? I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree your fruitfulness comes from me.
14:9 Who is wise? He will realise these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. 1975 JOEL