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.

Venid y volvamos a Jehová, pues él nos destrozó, mas nos curará; nos hirió, mas nos vendará.

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.

Después de dos días nos hará revivir, al tercer día nos levantará, y viviremos delante de él.

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.”

Esforcémonos por conocer a Jehová: cierta como el alba es su salida. Vendrá a nosotros como la lluvia, como la lluvia tardía y temprana viene a la tierra.

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.

«¿Qué haré contigo, Efraín? ¿Qué haré contigo, Judá? Vuestra piedad es como nube matinal, como el rocío de la madrugada, que se desvanece.

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.

Por eso los he quebrantado mediante los profetas; con las palabras de mi boca los maté, y tus juicios brotarán como la luz.

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.

Porque misericordia quiero y no sacrificios, conocimiento de Dios más que holocaustos.

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

»Pero ellos, cual Adán, violaron el pacto; allí han pecado contra mí.

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

Galaad, ciudad de malhechores, toda manchada de sangre.

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.

Como ladrones al acecho de un hombre, así una compañía de sacerdotes mata y comete infamias en el camino hacia Siquem.

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.

En la casa de Israel he visto cosas horribles: allí fornicó Efraín y se contaminó Israel.

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

Para ti también, Judá, está preparada una siega, cuando yo haga volver el cautiverio de mi pueblo.»