1Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
2After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
3Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
4O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. <sup>goodness: or, mercy, or, kindness</sup>
5Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. <sup>and: or, that thy judgments might be, etc</sup>
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 dealt treacherously against me. <sup>men: or, Adam</sup>
8Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood. <sup>polluted: or, cunning for</sup>
9And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent : for they commit lewdness. <sup>by: Heb. with one shoulder, or, to Shechem</sup> <sup>lewdness: or, enormity</sup>
10I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.
11Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.