1Come, let us return to Yahweh; because it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck us down and will bind us up.
2He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live in his presence.
3Let us know, let us press on to know Yahweh; his rising is sure like the dawn. He will come like the showers to us, like the spring rain that waters the earth.
4What will I do with you, O Ephraim? What will I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early in the morning.
5Therefore, I have hewn them by the prophets; I have killed them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth like the light.
6Because I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
7But like Adam, they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me.
8Gilead is a city of evil, a cunning city because of blood.
9Like bandits lying in wait, so is a band of priests; they murder on the road to Shechem; indeed, they commit a monstrous crime.
10In the house of Israel I have seen something horrible; Ephraim’s unfaithfulness is there. Israel is defiled.
11For you also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed, when I restore the fortunes of my people,