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 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 he shall give us life: in the third day he will resurrect us, and we shall live in his sight.

After 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 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.

and 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 ¶ 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.

What 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 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 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 desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

For I delight in loving-kindness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of 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 Adam have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.

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

Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity; it is tracked with blood.

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 in the way of Shechem; yea, they commit lewdness.

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

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

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

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