1 "Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up.

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

3 Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his going forth is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth."

4 What shall I do with you, O E'phraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.

5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light.

6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.

7 But at Adam they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me.

8 Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with blood.

9 As robbers lie in wait for a man, so the priests are banded together; they murder on the way to Shechem, yea, they commit villainy.

10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing; E'phraim's harlotry is there, Israel is defiled.

11 For you also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed. When I would restore the fortunes of my people,