Though He has torn us,
yet He will heal us;
He has wounded us,
but He will bind up our wounds.
2 After two days He will revive us,
and on the third day He will restore us,
that we may live in His presence.
3 Let us know the LORD,
and let us continue to know the LORD.
His appearing
is as certain as the dawn;
He will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring showers that water the earth.”
4 “What can I do with you, O Ephraim?
What can I do with you, O Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears.
5 That is why I have cut them down by the prophets;
I have killed them with the words of My mouth;
My judgments flash forth like lightning upon you.
6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
7 But like Adam they transgressed the covenant—
they were unfaithful to Me there.
8 Gilead is a city of evildoers,
tracked with bloodied footprints.
9 Like bandits waiting to ambush someone,
so do bands of priests.
They murder on the road to Shechem;
they commit shameful atrocities.
10 I have seen a horrible thing
in the house of Israel:
Ephraim’s prostitution is there;
Israel is defiled.
11 “Also, O Judah,
a harvest is appointed for you.
When I restore the captives of My people,
7:1 when I heal Israel,
the sins of Ephraim are uncovered
and the crimes of Samaria revealed.