The people pretend to turn to the Lord

The LORD's people speak

1Let's return to the LORD.

He has torn us to shreds,

but he will bandage our wounds

and make us well.

2In two or three days

he will heal us

and restore our strength

that we may live with him.

3Let's do our best

to know the LORD.

His coming is as certain

as the morning sun;

he will refresh us like rain

renewing the earth

in the springtime.

The LORD speaks to Israel and Judah

4People of Israel and Judah,

what can I do with you?

Your love for me disappears

more quickly than mist

or dew at sunrise.

5That's why I slaughtered you

with the words

of my prophets.

That's why my judgments blazed

like the dawning sun.6.5 That's why my…sun: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

6I'd rather you were faithful6.6: Mt 9.13; 12.7.

and knew me

than offered sacrifices.

7At a place named Adam,

you6.7 At…you: Or “Like Adam, you” or “Each one of you”. betrayed me

by breaking our agreement.

8Everyone in Gilead is evil;

your hands are stained

with the blood of victims.6.8 your hands…victims: This may refer to child sacrifice.

9You priests are like a gang

of robbers in ambush.6.9 You…ambush: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

On the road to Shechem6.9 Shechem: This was one of the towns where people could run for safety, if they had accidentally killed someone (see Joshua 20.1-9).

you murder and commit

other horrible crimes.

10I have seen a terrible thing

in Israel—

you are unfaithful

and unfit to worship me.

11People of Judah,

your time is coming too.

The LORD wants to help Israel

I, the LORD, would like to make

my nation prosper again