6:1 “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.
6:2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.
6:3 Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.”
6:4 “What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.
6:5 Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth; my judgments flashed like lightning upon you.
6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
6:7 Like Adam, they have broken the covenant–they were unfaithful to me there.
6:8 Gilead is a city of wicked men, stained with footprints of blood.
6:9 As marauders lie in ambush for a man, so do bands of priests; they murder on the road to Shechem, committing shameful crimes.
6:10 I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel. There Ephraim is given to prostitution and Israel is defiled.
6:11 “Also for you, Judah, a harvest is appointed.
6:1 Come and let us return to Jehovah; / For He has torn us, but He will heal us, / And He has stricken us, but He will bind us up.
6:2 He will enliven us after two days; / On the third day He will raise us up, / And we will live in His presence.
6:3 Therefore let us know, let us pursue knowing Jehovah: / His going forth is as sure as the dawn, / And He will come to us as the rain, / As the late rain which waters the earth.
6:4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? / What shall I do with you, O Judah? / For your lovingkindness is like a morning cloud / And like dew that departs early.
6:5 Therefore I hewed them to pieces by the prophets; / I slew them by the words of My mouth, / And My judgments went forth as light.
6:6 For I delight in lovingkindness and not sacrifice, / And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
6:7 But they like Adam have transgressed the covenant; / There they have acted treacherously against Me.
6:8 Gilead is a city of those who commit iniquity; / It is tracked with blood.
6:9 And like bands of robbers lying in wait for a man, / The company of priests murder on the way to Shechem; / Indeed they commit wickedness.
6:10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrid thing: / The harlotry of Ephraim is there; / Israel has defiled itself.
6:11 Also, O Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you, / When I will turn the captivity of My people.