Hosea

The Unrepentance of Israel and Judah

1 Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.

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

3 So let us know — let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.

4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes.

5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning.

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

7 But they, like Adam, have transgressed the covenant; there they were unfaithful to Me.

8 Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with footprints of blood.

9 Like raiders who lie in ambush, so does a band of priests; they murder on the way to Shechem; surely they have committed atrocities.

10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing: Ephraim practices prostitution there, and Israel is defiled.

11 Also for you, O Judah, a harvest is appointed, when I restore My people from captivity.

Footnotes:
6:4 That is, the northern kingdom of Israel; also in verse 10
6:6 Cited in Matthew 9:13 and Matthew 12:7
6:7 Or As at Adam, they have transgressed
6:11 Or restore the fortunes of My people