1Come, and let us return to LORD, for he has torn, and he will heal us. He has smitten, and he will bind us up. 2After two days he will revive us. On the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him. 3And let us know, let us follow on to know LORD. His going forth is sure as the morning, and he will come to us as the rain, as the latter rain that waters the earth. 4O Ephraim, what shall I do to thee? O Judah, what shall I do to thee? For your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the dew that goes away early. 5Therefore I have hewed them by the prophets. I have slain them by the words of my mouth. And thy judgments are [as] the light that goes forth. 6For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings. 7But like Adam they have transgressed the covenant. There they have dealt treacherously against me. 8Gilead is a city of those who work iniquity; it is stained with blood. 9And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way toward Shechem. Yea, they have committed iniquity. 10I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel. Whoredom is there in Ephraim; Israel is defiled. 11Also, O Judah, there is a harvest appointed for thee when I bring back the captivity of my people.