Dual PanelThe Lord's people speak
1Let's return to the Lord. He has torn us to shreds, but he will bandage our wounds and make us well.
2In two or three days he will heal us and restore our strength that we may live with him.
3Let's do our best to know the Lord. His coming is as certain as the morning sun; he will refresh us like rain renewing the earth in the springtime.
The Lord speaks to Israel and Judah
4 People of Israel and Judah, what can I do with you? Your love for me disappears more quickly than mist or dew at sunrise.
5That's why I slaughtered you with the words of my prophets. That's why my judgments blazed like the dawning sun.
6I'd rather you were faithful and knew me than offered sacrifices.
7At a place named Adam, you betrayed me by breaking our agreement.
8Everyone in Gilead is evil; your hands are stained with the blood of victims.
9You priests are like a gang of robbers in ambush. On the road to Shechem you murder and commit other horrible crimes.
10I have seen a terrible thing in Israel— you are unfaithful and unfit to worship me.
11People of Judah, your time is coming too.
The Lord wants to help Israel
I, the Lord, would like to make my nation prosper again