1THEY shall say, Come, let us return and go to the LORD who has smitten us, and he will heal us; he has wounded us, and he will bind us up.

2After two days he will revive us, and on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his presence.

3Then shall we know to follow after the knowledge of the LORD; his going forth is prepared as the dawn; and he shall come to us as the rain, as the spring rain which waters the earth.

4O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goes away.

5Therefore have I cut off the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth; and my judgments shall go forth as the light.

6For I desired mercy and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

7But they like men have transgressed my covenant; there have they dealt treacherously against me.

8Gilead is a city of those who work iniquity, and wallows in blood. Your strength is as that of a robber.

9The priests have joined them on the way, and they have destroyed Shechem, because they have committed iniquities.

10I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel: there Ephraim committed whoredom, and Israel was defiled.

11And you also, O Judah, set a day of harvest for yourself when I will bring back the captivity of my people.