Hosea 6

A Call to Repentance

1 Come, let’s return to the Lord. 6:1 Jr 50:4–5

For he has torn us, 6:1 Hs 5:14

and he will heal us; 6:1 Hs 14:4

he has wounded us,

and he will bind up our wounds. 6:1 Is 30:26

2 He will revive us after two days, 6:2 Ps 30:5

and on the third day he will raise us up

so we can live in his presence. 6:2 Dt 32:39

3 Let’s strive to know the Lord. 6:3 Is 2:3; Mc 4:2

His appearance is as sure as the dawn. 6:3 Ps 19:6; Mc 5:2

He will come to us like the rain, 6:3 Jl 2:23

like the spring showers that water the land.

4 What am I going to do with you, Ephraim? 6:4 Hs 7:1; 11:8

What am I going to do with you, Judah?

Your love is like the morning mist 6:4 Ps 78:34–37

and like the early dew that vanishes.

5 This is why I have used the prophets

to cut them down; 6:5 Or have cut down the prophets, 6:5 1Sm 15:32–33; Jr 1:10,18; 5:14

I have killed them with the words from my mouth.

My judgment strikes like lightning. 6:5 LXX, Syr, Tg; MT reads Your judgments go out as light

6 For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice,

the knowledge of God 6:6 Hs 4:1 rather than burnt offerings. 6:6 Mt 9:13; 12:7

7 But they, like Adam, 6:7 Or they, as at Adam, or they, like men, have violated the covenant; 6:7 Hs 8:1

there they have betrayed me. 6:7 Hs 5:7

8 Gilead is a city of evildoers, 6:8 Hs 12:11

tracked with bloody footprints. 6:8 Hs 4:2

9 Like raiders who wait in ambush for someone, 6:9 Hs 7:1

a band of priests murders on the road to Shechem. 6:9 Jr 7:9–10; Hs 4:2

They commit atrocities. 6:9 Ezk 22:9; 23:27; Hs 2:10

10 I have seen something horrible 6:10 Jr 5:30–31; 23:14 in the house of Israel:

Ephraim’s promiscuity is there; 6:10 Hs 5:3 Israel is defiled.

11 A harvest is also appointed for you, Judah. 6:11 Jr 51:33; Jl 3:13

When I restore the fortunes of my people, 6:11 Zph 2:7