Israel Unrepentant 1“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. 2After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. 3Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” 4“What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears. 5Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth— then my judgments go forth like the sun. a 6For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. 7As at Adam, b they have broken the covenant; they were unfaithful to me there. 8Gilead is a city of evildoers, stained with footprints of blood. 9As marauders lie in ambush for a victim, so do bands of priests; they murder on the road to Shechem, carrying out their wicked schemes. 10I have seen a horrible thing in Israel: There Ephraim is given to prostitution, Israel is defiled. 11“Also for you, Judah, a harvest is appointed. “Whenever I would restore the fortunes of my people, Footnotes: a 5 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain. b 7 Or Like Adam; or Like human beings New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Bible Apps |