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, let us return to the Lord. He has hurt us but He will heal us. He has cut us but He will cover the sore.

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 give us new life. He will raise us up on the third day, 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.

So keep on trying to know the Lord. His coming to us is as sure as the rising of the sun. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain giving water to 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 should I do with you, Ephraim? What should I do with you, Judah? Your loving-kindness is like a morning cloud, and like the water on the grass in the early morning.

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.

So I have cut them in pieces by the men who speak for Me. I have killed them by the words of My mouth. My punishments come upon you like lightning.

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

I want loving-kindness and not a gift to be given in worship. I want people to know God instead of giving burnt gifts.

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

But like Adam they have sinned against the agreement. They were not faithful to Me there.

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

Gilead is a city of wrong-doers, with blood in every footstep.

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.

Like robbers lie in wait for a man, a group of religious leaders kill on the way to Shechem. For sure they have done a sinful thing.

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

I have seen a very bad thing among the people of Israel. Ephraim has left Me to worship false gods. Israel has made itself unclean.

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

Also, Judah, there is a time coming for you, when I give back the riches of My people.