COME, and let us return to the LORD; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.

2 After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up; that we may live in HIs sight.

3 Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is establishes as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth.

4 ''O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, and like the early dew it goes away.

5 Therefore I have hewn them by the words of My mouth; and your judgments are like that goes forth.

6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

7 ''But like men they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt tracherously with Me.

8 Gilead is a city of evildoers and defiled with blood.

9 As bands of robbers lie in wait for a man, so the company of priests murder on the way to Shechem; surely they commit lewdness; surely they commit lewdness.

10 I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the harlotry of Ephraim; Israel is defiled.

11 Also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed for you, when I return the captives of My people. HOSEA 6