1 Come, and let us return to Jehovah. For He has torn, and He will heal us. He has stricken, and He will bind us up.
2 After two days He will restore us to life. In the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His presence.
3 Then we shall know, we who follow on to know Jehovah. His going forth is established as the dawn. And He shall come to us as the rain, as the latter and former rain to the earth.
4 O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your goodness is like a morning cloud, and it goes away like the early dew.
5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the Words of My mouth; and your judgments are as the light that goes forth.
6 For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7 But, like Adam, they have transgressed the covenant; they have dealt treacherously against Me there.
8 Gilead is a city of those who work iniquity, foot-tracked with blood.
9 And as bands of robbers lie in wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way, getting an early start at it; for they plot wickedness.
10 I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the harlotry of Ephraim; Israel is defiled.
11 Also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed for you, when I return the captives of My people.