1 “Come, and let us return unto the Lord; for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind up our wounds. 2 He will revive us after two days: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his presence. 3 And let us feel it, that we may strive to know the Lord; bright as the morning-dawn is his rising; and he will come as the rain unto us, as the latter rain that maketh fruitful the earth.” 4 What shall I do unto thee, O Ephraim? what shall I do unto thee, O Judah? for your piety is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away. 5 Therefore did I hew [them] down by means of the prophets; I slew them by the words of my mouth: and thy punishments go forth like the light. 6 For piety I desired, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God, more than burnt-offerings. 7 But they, like an ordinary man, have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me. 8 Gil'ad is become a city of workers of wickedness, is full of traces of blood. 9 And as troops that lie in wait for a man, so is the band of priests, they murder on the way in unison; for they commit scandalous deeds. 10 On the house of Israel have I seen a horrible thing: there is lewdness in Ephraim, Israel is become defiled. 11 Also for thee, O Judah, will a harvest be prepared, when I bring back the captivity of my people.