The Response to God’s Rebuke
1 "Come, let’s return to the Lord.
For He has torn us, but He will heal us;
He has 6:1 Lit struckwounded 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 that6:5 Lit proceedsshines.
6 For I 6:6 Or take pleasure indesire loyalty rather than sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
7 But like 6:7 Or menAdam 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.