Hosea 6

1Come, let us return to Yahweh. For he has torn us, and he will heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind up our wounds.

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

3Let us know, let us press on to know Yahweh. His coming is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rain that waters the earth.

4What am I to do with you, Ephraim? What am I to do with you, Judah? Your loyalty is like a morning cloud, like the dew that vanishes early.

5Therefore I have cut them to pieces by the prophets; I have killed them by the words of my mouth, and the judgments on you go out like light.

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

7But like Adam they have broken the covenant; there they were unfaithful to me.

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

9As bandits lie in wait for someone, so a band of priests murders on the road to Shechem; they have committed shameful crimes.

10In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing: Ephraim’s prostitution is there; Israel is defiled.

11For you also, Judah, a harvest is appointed, when I restore the fortunes of my people.