1Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal
us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
2After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up,
and we shall live in his sight.
3
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is
prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the
latter and former rain unto the earth.
4
O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee?
for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
5
Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the
words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
6For I desired mercy, and
not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7
But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt
treacherously against me.
8
Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.
9
And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder
in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.
10
I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom
of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.
11
Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the
captivity of my people.