[1] “Come, let’s return to the LORD; for it is he who has injured us and will heal us; he has struck us down, but he will bind us up. [2] After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, so that we may live before him. [3] Let’s know, let’s press on to know the LORD; whose appearing is as certain as the dawn; who will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that give drink to the earth.” [4] Ephraim, what will I do with you? Judah, what will I do with you? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that vanishes quickly. [5] Therefore, I have attacked them by the prophets, I have killed them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth like a light. [6] I desire faithful love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God instead of entirely burned offerings. [7] But like Adam they broke the covenant; then they acted in bad faith against me. [8] Gilead is a city of wicked people, tracked with blood. [9] As robbers lie in wait for someone, so the priests are in league with each other; they murder on the road to Shechem; they have done evil things. [10] In the house of Israel I have seen something horrible; Ephraim acts like a prostitute; Israel is defiled. [11] For you also, Judah, a harvest is appointed, when I would improve the circumstances of my people.
