1 COME 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.
2 After 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. Isa. 26:19; Ezek. 37:1-10.
3 Yes, 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.
4 O 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.
5 Therefore 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.
6 For I desire and delight in dutiful steadfast love and goodness, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of and acquaintance with God more than burnt offerings. Matt. 9:13; 12:7.
7 But they, like less-privileged men and like Adam, have transgressed the covenant; there have they dealt faithlessly and treacherously with Me.
8 Gilead is a city of evildoers; it is tracked with bloody footprints.
9 And 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.
10 I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel! There harlotry and idolatry are found in Ephraim; Israel is defiled.
11 Also, 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,