1 ¶ Come, and let us return to the LORD: for he has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck us, and he will bind up our wounds.

2 After two days he will revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we will live before him.

3 Then we will know, if we earnestly seek to know the LORD: his appearance is as sure as the dawn; and he will come to us like the rain, like the early and later rain to the earth.

4 ¶ O Ephraim, what shall I do with you? O Judah, what shall I do with you? for your goodness is like a morning mist, and like the early dew it goes away.

5 That is why I have cut them down by the prophets; I have slain them with the words of my mouth: and my judgments are like the lightning that goes forth.

6 For I wanted mercy, not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

7 But they like Adam have transgressed my covenant: there they have dealt treacherously against me.

8 Gilead is a city of those who do evil, and is polluted with blood.

9 Just as bands of robbers lay in wait for a man, so the company of priests murder along the way by consent: for they plan wickedness.

10 I have seen horrible things at Israel’s temple: there prostitution and adultery are found in Ephraim, and Israel is defiled.

11 You too, O Judah, must harvest what you have sown, when I return my people from captivity.