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.