[1]Come, and let us return to the Lord: for he hath spoiled, and he will heal us: he hath wounded us, and he will bind us up.[2]After two days will he revive us, and in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.[3]Then shall we have knowledge, and endeavor ourselves to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning, and he shall come unto us as the rain, and as the latter rain unto the earth.[4]O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, how shall I entreat thee? For your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the morning dew it goeth away.[5]Therefore have I cut down by the prophets: I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and thy judgments were as the light that goeth forth.[6]For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.[7]But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they trespassed against me.[8]Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.[9]And as the thieves wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they work mischief.[10]I have seen villainy in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim: Israel is defiled.[11]Yea, Judah hath set a plant for thee, whiles I would return the captivity of my people.