1“Come, let us return to the LORD;

for he has torn, that he may heal us;

he has stricken, and he will bind us up.

2After two days he will revive us;

on the third day he will raise us up,

that we may live before him.

3Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD;

his going forth is sure as the dawn;

he will come to us as the showers,

as the spring rains that water the earth.”

4What shall I do with you, O E'phraim?

What shall I do with you, O Judah?

Your love is like a morning cloud,

like the dew that goes early away.

5Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets,

I have slain them by the words of my mouth,

and my judgment goes forth as the light.6.5 Gk Syr: Heb thy judgment goes forth

66.6: Mt 9.13; 12.7.For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,

the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.

7But at6.7 Cn: Heb like Adam they transgressed the covenant;

there they dealt faithlessly with me.

8Gilead is a city of evildoers,

tracked with blood.

9As robbers lie in wait6.9 Cn: Heb uncertain for a man,

so the priests are banded together;6.9 Syr: Heb a company

they murder on the way to Shechem,

yea, they commit villainy.

10In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing;

E'phraim's harlotry is there, Israel is defiled.

11For you also, O Judah, a harvest is appoint.