1 “ 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.

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 will give us new life. He will raise us up on the third day, that we may live before Him.

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 S o 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.”

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 “ 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.

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 S o 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.

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

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

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 wrong-doers, with blood in every footstep.

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

9 L ike 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.

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

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

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