1 C ome and let us return unto Jehovah: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

2 A fter two days will he revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before his face;

3 a nd we shall know,—we shall follow on to know Jehovah: his going forth is assured as the morning dawn; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain which watereth the earth.

4 W hat shall I do unto thee, Ephraim? What shall I do unto thee, Judah? For your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the dew that early passeth away.

5 T herefore have I hewed by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and my judgment goeth forth as the light.

6 F or I delight in loving-kindness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.

7 B ut they like Adam have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.

8 G ilead is a city of them that work iniquity; it is tracked with blood.

9 A nd as troops of robbers lie in wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way of Shechem; yea, they commit lewdness.

10 I n the house of Israel have I seen a horrible thing: the whoredom of Ephraim is there; Israel is defiled.

11 A lso, for thee, Judah, is a harvest appointed, when I shall turn again the captivity of my people.