1 ’Come, and let us return unto the LORD; For He hath torn, and He will heal us, He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.
2 After two days will He revive us, On the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence.
3 And let us know, eagerly strive to know the LORD, His going forth is sure as the morning; And He shall come unto us as the rain, As the latter rain that watereth the earth.’
4 O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? For your goodness is as a morning cloud, And as the dew that early passeth away.
5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And thy judgment goeth forth as the light.
6 For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God rather than burnt-offerings.
7 But they like men have transgressed the covenant; There have they dealt treacherously against Me.
8 Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, It is covered with footprints of blood.
9 And as troops of robbers wait for a man, So doth the company of priests; They murder in the way toward Shechem; Yea, they commit enormity.
10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing; There harlotry is found in Ephraim, Israel is defiled.
11 Also, O Judah, there is a harvest appointed for thee! When I would turn the captivity of My people,