Dual Panel1COME AND let us return to the Lord, for He has torn so that He may heal us; He has stricken so that He may bind us up.
2After two days He will revive us (quicken us, give us life); on the third day He will raise us up that we may live before Him.
3Yes, let us know (recognize, be acquainted with, and understand) Him; let us be zealous to know the Lord [to appreciate, give heed to, and cherish Him]. His going forth is prepared {and} certain as the dawn, and He will come to us as the [heavy] rain, as the latter rain that waters the earth.
4O Ephraim, what shall I do with you? [says the Lord] O Judah, what shall I do with you? For your [wavering] love {and} kindness are like the night mist {or} like the dew that goes early away.
5Therefore have I hewn down {and} smitten them by means of the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth; My judgments [pronounced upon them by you prophets] are like the light that goes forth.
6For I desire {and} delight in dutiful steadfast love {and} goodness, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of {and} acquaintance with God more than burnt offerings.
7But they, like [less-privileged] men {and} like Adam, have transgressed the covenant; there have they dealt faithlessly {and} treacherously with Me.
8Gilead is a city of evildoers; it is tracked with bloody [footprints].
9And as troops of robbers lie in wait for a man, so the company of priests murder on the road toward Shechem; yes, they commit villainy {and} outrages.
10I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel! There harlotry {and} idolatry are found in Ephraim; Israel is defiled.
11Also, O Judah, there is a harvest [of divine judgment] appointed for you; when I would return My people from their captivity [in which they are slaves to the misery brought on by their own sins],