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, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will 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; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight.

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.”

Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth. Impenitence of Israel and Judah

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 to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, And like the early dew it goes 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 I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And your judgments are like 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 mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

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

“But like men they transgressed the covenant; There they dealt treacherously with Me.

8 G ilead is a city of wrong-doers, with blood in every footstep.

Gilead is a city of evildoers And defiled with blood.

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.

As bands of robbers lie in wait for a man, So the company of priests murder on the way to Shechem; Surely they commit lewdness.

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 is the harlotry of 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, a harvest is appointed for you, When I return the captives of My people.