1 “ Come, and let us return to Yahweh; for he has torn us to pieces, and he will heal us; he has injured us, and he will bind up our wounds.

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 revive us. On the third day he will raise us up, and we will 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 L et us acknowledge Yahweh. Let us press on to know Yahweh. As surely as the sun rises, Yahweh will appear. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain that waters 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 “ Ephraim, what shall I do to you? Judah, what shall I do to you? For your love is like a morning cloud, and like the dew that disappears early.

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 T herefore I have cut them to pieces with the prophets; I killed them with the words of my mouth. Your judgments are like a flash of 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 F or I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

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 they, like Adam, have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful 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 those who work iniquity; it is stained with blood.

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

9 A s gangs of robbers wait to ambush a man, so the company of priests murder on the path toward Shechem, committing shameful crimes.

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 n the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing. There is prostitution in Ephraim. Israel is defiled.

I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel! There harlotry and idolatry are found in Ephraim; Israel is defiled.

11 “ Also, Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you, when I restore the fortunes of my people.

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