The Unrepentance of Israel and Judah
1 Come, 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. 2 After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence. 3 So 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.
4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraima? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes. 5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning. 6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,b and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
7 But they, like Adam, have transgressedc the covenant; there they were unfaithful to Me. 8 Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with footprints of blood. 9 Like raiders who lie in ambush, so does a band of priests; they murder on the way to Shechem; surely they have committed atrocities. 10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing: Ephraim practices prostitution there, and Israel is defiled.
11 Also for you, O Judah, a harvest is appointed, when I restore My people from captivity.d
