5. I used the prophets and made laws for the people. The people were killed at my command, but good things will come from those decisions.
6. This is because I want faithful love, not sacrifice. I want people to know God, not to bring burnt offerings.
7. But the people broke the agreement as Adam did. They were unfaithful to me in their country.
8. Gilead is a city of people who do evil— people who have tricked and killed others.
9. The priests are like gangs of robbers hiding and waiting on the road to attack someone. They murder people before they reach safety in Shechem. They do such evil things.
10. I have seen a terrible thing in the nation of Israel. Ephraim was unfaithful to God. Israel is dirty with sin.