(1) "Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.
(2) After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.
(3) Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."
(4) "What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.
(5) Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth; my judgments flashed like lightning upon you.
(6) For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
(7) Like Adam,[1] they have broken the covenant-- they were unfaithful to me there.
(8) Gilead is a city of wicked men, stained with footprints of blood.
(9) As marauders lie in ambush for a man, so do bands of priests; they murder on the road to Shechem, committing shameful crimes.
(10) I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel. There Ephraim is given to prostitution and Israel is defiled.
(11) "Also for you, Judah, a harvest is appointed.