1Israel, return to Yahweh your God; for you have fallen because of your sin.
1 Ya Israyla, ma ye ka kaa Rabbi ni Irikoyo do, Zama ni kaŋ ni goy laaley sabbay se.
1O Israel, return unto Jehovah thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.
2Take words with you, and return to Yahweh. Tell him, “Forgive all our sins, and accept that which is good: so we offer our lips like bulls.
2 Wa sanniyaŋ sambu araŋ banda ka ye ka kaa Rabbi do. Wa ne a se: «Ni m'iri goy laaley kulu sambu iri se, M'iri ta da gomni mo. Yaadin gaa no iri ga kande iri sanney ka sarga, day manti yeejiyaŋ.
2Take with you words, and return unto Jehovah: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and accept that which is good: so will we render [as] bullocks [the offering of] our lips.
3Assyria can’t save us. We won’t ride on horses; neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ‘Our gods!’ for in you the fatherless finds mercy.”
3 Assiriya si iri faaba, iri si kaaru bariyaŋ, Iri si ye ka ne mo iri kambe goyey se: ‹Araŋ ya iri de-koyyaŋ* no.› Zama ni do no alatuumi ga du suuji.»
3Assyria shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses; neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, [Ye are] our gods; for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy.
4“I will heal their waywardness. I will love them freely; for my anger is turned away from him.
4 Ay g'i murteyaŋo ciya yaddayaŋ, Ay ga ba r'ey gumo-gumo, Zama ay futa bare ka fay d'ey.
4I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away from him.
5I will be like the dew to Israel. He will blossom like the lily, and send down his roots like Lebanon.
5 Ay ga ciya Israyla se danga harandaŋ cine. A ga te boosi danga waaliya boko, A kaajey mo ga sinji danga Liban tuuri-nyayaŋ.
5I will be as the dew unto Israel; he shall blossom as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.
6His branches will spread, and his beauty will be like the olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon.
6 A kambey ga zay, A booriyaŋo ga ciya danga zeytun* nya cine, A hawo mo danga Liban cine.
6His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
7Men will dwell in his shade. They will revive like the grain, and blossom like the vine. Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.
7 Borey kaŋ yaŋ goono ga goro a biyo ra ga ye ka kaa ka ntaasu far. I ga te boosi danga reyzin* nya, I maa beera mo ga hima Liban duvaŋo.
7They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive [as] the grain, and blossom as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
8Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols? I answer, and will take care of him. I am like a green fir tree; from me your fruit is found.”
8 Ifraymu ga ne: «Ifo k'ay zaa da tooru koyne ne jine?» Ay no ga tu ni se, ay ga haggoy da nin. Ay go danga sipres* nya biikoy, Ay do no ni ga du ni nafa.
8Ephraim [shall say], What have I to do any more with idols? I have answered, and will regard him: I am like a green fir-tree; from me is thy fruit found.
9Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of Yahweh are right, and the righteous walk in them; But the rebellious stumble in them.
9 Laakalkooni kulu ma faham da hayey din, Boro kaŋ gonda fayanka mo a ma bay i gaa. Zama Rabbi fondey ga saba, Adilantey mo ga dira i ra. Amma borey kaŋ yaŋ ga lordo harta ga kaŋ i ra.
9Who is wise, that he may understand these things? prudent, that he may know them? for the ways of Jehovah are right, and the just shall walk in them; but transgressors shall fall therein.