1 "Come, let’s return to the Lord.

For He has torn us, but He will heal us;

He has *wounded us, but He will bandage us.

2 "He will revive us after two days;

He will raise us up on the third day,

That we may live before Him.

3 "So let’s learn, let’s press on to know the Lord.

His appearance is as sure as the dawn;

And He will come to us like the rain,

As the spring rain waters the earth."

4 What shall I do with you, Ephraim?

What shall I do with you, Judah?

For your loyalty is like a morning cloud,

And like the dew which goes away early.

5 Therefore I have cut them in pieces by the prophets;

I have slain them by the words of My mouth;

And the judgments on you are like the light that*shines.

6 For I *desire loyalty rather than sacrifice,

And the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

7 But like *Adam they have violated the covenant;

There they have dealt treacherously with Me.

8 Gilead is a city of wrongdoers,

Tracked with bloody footprints.

9 And as a band of robbers lie in wait for a person,

So a band of priests murder on the way to Shechem;

Certainly they have committed an act of infamy.

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

Ephraim’s infidelity is there, Israel has defiled itself.

11 Also, Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you,

When I restore the fortunes of My people.