The Unrepentance of Israel and Judah

1Come, let us return to the LORD.
For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.

2After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up,
that we may live in His presence.

3So let us know— let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.

4What shall I do with you, O Ephraim ³⁴? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes.

5Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth,
and My judgments go forth like lightning.

6For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, ³⁵and the knowledge of God
rather than burnt offerings.

7But they, like Adam, have transgressed ³⁶the covenant; there they were unfaithful to Me.

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

9Like raiders who lie in ambush, so does a band of priests; they murder on the way to Shechem; surely they have committed atrocities.

10In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing: Ephraim practices prostitution there, and Israel is defiled.

11Also for you, O Judah, a harvest is appointed, when I restore My people from captivity. ³⁷