1 The Response to God’s Rebuke “Come and let us return [in repentance] to the L,For He has torn us, but He will heal us;He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.
2 After two days He will revive us;On the third day He will raise us upThat we may live before Him.
3 So let us knowandbecome personally acquainted with Him; let us press on to knowandunderstand fully the [greatness of the] L[to honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him].His appearing is preparedandis as certain as the dawn,And He will come to us [in salvation] like the [heavy] rain,Like the spring rain watering the earth.”
4 The Reply of the Lord O Ephraim, what shall I do with you?O Judah, what shall I do with you?For your [wavering] loyaltyandkindness are [transient] like the morning cloudAnd like the dew that goes away early.
5 Therefore, I have hewn them in pieces by [the words of] the prophets;I have slain them by the words of My mouth;My judgments [pronounced upon them by the prophets] are like the light that shines forth [obvious to all].
6 For I desireanddelight in [steadfast] loyalty [faithfulness in the covenant relationship], rather than sacrifice,And in the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7 But they, like Adam, have transgressed the covenant;There they have dealt treacherously against Me.
8 Gilead is a city of wrongdoers;It is tracked with bloodyfootprints.
9 And as bands of robbers [lie in] wait for a man,So a band of priests murder on the road towardShechem was the first capital city of the Kingdom of Israel.Shechem [covering their crimes in that city of refuge];Certainly they have committed crimesandoutrages.
10 I have seen a horrible thing [sins of every kind] in the house of Israel!Ephraim’s prostitution (idolatry) is there; Israel has defiled itself.
11 Also, O Judah, there is a harvest [of divine judgment] appointed for you,When I restore the fortunes of My people [who have been slaves to the misery of sin].