1 An exhortation to repentance. 4 A complaint against Israel and Judah for persisting still in their wickedness.
1. Come, and alet us return unto the LORD: for he bhath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
2. cAfter two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
3. Then dshall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: ehis going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us fas the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
4. ¶O Ephraim, gwhat shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your 1goodness is has a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
5. Therefore ihave I *hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: 2and thy judgments are jas the light that goeth forth.
6. kFor I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7. But they 3like men lhave transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.
8. mGilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is 4polluted with blood.
9. nAnd as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way 5by consent: for they commit 6lewdness.
10. I have seen oan horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is pthe whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.
11. Also, O Judah, he hath set qan harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.
Come, 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. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then 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. ¶O 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. Therefore 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. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me. Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood. And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness. I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled. Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people.