1 ¶ Come, and let us return unto the LORD; for he has torn, and he will heal us; he has smitten, and he will bind us up.

Come and let us return to the Lord, for He has torn so that He may heal us; He has stricken so that He may bind us up.

2 A fter two days he shall give us life: in the third day he will resurrect us, and we shall live in his sight.

After two days He will revive us (quicken us, give us life); on the third day He will raise us up that we may live before Him.

3 A nd we shall know and follow on in knowing the LORD; his going forth is prepared as the dawn; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

Yes, let us know (recognize, be acquainted with, and understand) Him; let us be zealous to know the Lord. His going forth is prepared and certain as the dawn, and He will come to us as the rain, as the latter rain that waters the earth.

4 ¶ O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? Your mercy is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goes away.

O Ephraim, what shall I do with you? O Judah, what shall I do with you? For your love and kindness are like the night mist or like the dew that goes early away.

5 T herefore I have hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: that thy righteousness be as the light that goes forth.

Therefore have I hewn down and smitten them by means of the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth; My judgments are like the light that goes forth.

6 F or I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

For I desire and delight in dutiful steadfast love and goodness, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of and acquaintance with God more than burnt offerings.

7 B ut they have transposed the covenant as of men: there they have rebelled against me.

But they, like men and like Adam, have transgressed the covenant; there have they dealt faithlessly and treacherously with Me.

8 G ilead is a city of those that work iniquity and is polluted with blood.

Gilead is a city of evildoers; it is tracked with bloody.

9 A nd as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the council of priests murder in the way by common accord; for they put the abomination into effect.

And as troops of robbers lie in wait for a man, so the company of priests murder on the road toward Shechem; yes, they commit villainy and outrages.

10 I saw uncleanness in the house of Israel: there Ephraim played the harlot, Israel defiled herself.

I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel! There harlotry and idolatry are found in Ephraim; Israel is defiled.

11 A lso, Judah placed a plant in thee when I had turned the captivity of my people.

Also, O Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you; when I would return My people from their captivity,