1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD; for he has torn, and he will heal us; he has smitten, and he will bind us up. 2 After two days he shall give us life: in the third day he will resurrect us, and we shall live in his sight. 3 And we shall know and follow on in knowing the LORD; his going forth is prepared as the dawn; 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? Your mercy is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goes away. 5 Therefore I have hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: that thy righteousness be as the light that goes forth. 6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7 But they have transposed the covenant as of men: there they have rebelled against me. 8 Gilead is a city of those that work iniquity and is polluted with blood. 9 And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the council of priests murder in the way by common accord; for they put the abomination into effect. 10 I saw uncleanness in the house of Israel: there Ephraim played the harlot, Israel defiled herself.
11 Also, Judah placed a plant in thee when I had turned the captivity of my people.