March 8, 2004, Friday of the third week of Lent.

A reading from the book of the prophet Hosea.

Thus says the Lord,

Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God.

You have collapsed through your guilt.

Take with you words and return to the Lord.

Say to him,

Forgive all iniquity and receive what is good that we may

render his offerings the bullocks from our stalls. Assyria will not save us, nor shall we have horses to

mount. We shall say no more, our God, to the work of our hands, for in you the orphan finds compassion.

I will heal their defection, says the Lord. I will love them freely. For my wrath is turned away

from them. I will be like the dew for Israel. He shall blossom like the lily. He shall strike

root like the Lebanon cedar, and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the lily. He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar and put forth his shoots.

His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. Again they shall dwell

in his shade and raise grain. They shall blossom like the vine and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

Ephraim, what more has he to do with idols?

I have humbled him, but I will prosper him.

I am like a verdant cypress tree.

Because of me, you bear fruit.

Let him who is wise understand these things.

Let him who is prudent know them.

Straight are the paths of the Lord, and them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them.

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