1Come, and let us return to the Lord: for he hath spoiled, and he will heal us: he hath wounded us, and he will bind us up.
2After two days will he revive us, and in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
3Then shall we have knowledge, and endeavor ourselves to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning, and he shall come unto us as the rain, and as the latter rain unto the earth.
4O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, how shall I entreat thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the morning dew it goeth away.
5Therefore have I cut down by the Prophets: I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and thy judgments were as the light that goeth forth.
6For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they trespassed against me.
8Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.
9And as the thieves wait for a man, so the company of Priests murder in the way by consent: for they work mischief.
10I have seen villainy in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim: Israel is defiled.
11Yea, Judah hath set a plant for thee, while I would return the captivity of my people.