A reading from the book of the prophet I, Josea.

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 works 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,

and 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 chutes. His splendor shall be like the olive tree,

and his fragrance like the Lebanon's 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

sip verdant cypress tree because of me me, you bear fruit. Let him who is wise

understand these things. Let him who is prudent know them. Straighter the paths of the Lord,

in them that just walk. But sinners stumble in them, the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. I am the Lord

your God, hear my voice. I am the Lord your God, hear my voice.

I am the Lord your God, hear my voice.

An unfamiliar speech I hear, I relieve a soldier of the burden, his hands were freed from the basket,

in the stress you called and I rescued you.

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