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.
2
After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us,
that we may live in his presence.
3
Let 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.
5
Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets,
I killed you with the words of my mouth;
my judgments flashed like lightning upon you.
6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
7
Like Adam, they have broken the covenant -
they were unfaithful to me there.
8
Gilead is a city of wicked men, stained with footprints of blood.
9
As marauders lie in ambush for a man, so do bands of priests;
they murder on the road to Shechem, committing shameful crimes.
10
I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel.
There Ephraim is given to prostitution and Israel is defiled.
11
"Also for you, Judah, a harvest is appointed.
"Whenever I would restore the fortunes of my peole,