1Come, and let us return unto the LORD; for he has torn, and he will heal us; he has smitten, and he will bind us up. 2After two days he shall give us life: in the third day he will resurrect us, and we shall live in his sight. 3And we shall know and follow on in knowing the LORD; his going forth is prepared as the dawn; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter [and] former rain unto the earth. 4O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? Your mercy is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goes away. 5Therefore I have hewed [them]by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: that thy righteousness [be] as the light [that] goes forth. 6For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. 7But they have transposed the covenant as of men: there they have rebelled against me. 8Gilead [is] a city of those that work iniquity [and is] polluted with blood. 9And as troops of robbers wait for a man, [so] the council of priests murder in the way by common accord; for they put the abomination into effect. 10I saw uncleanness in the house of Israel: there Ephraim played the harlot, Israel defiled herself. 11Also, Judah placed [a] plant in thee when I had turned the captivity of my people.: