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, 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 will revive us. On the third day he will raise us up, and we will live before him.

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 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.”

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 “ 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.

“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 cut them to pieces with the prophets; I killed them with the words of my mouth. Your judgments are like a flash of lightning.

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 desire 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, like Adam, have broken the covenant. They were unfaithful to me, there.

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

8 G ilead is a city of those who work iniquity; it is stained with blood.

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

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.

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

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

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