The Unrepentance of Israel and Judah 1 ULT “Come, and let us return to Yahweh, for he, he has torn, and he will heal us; he struck, and he will bind us up. BSB BSB: Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.
2 ULT He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, and we will live to his face. BSB BSB: After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence.
3 ULT And let us know, let us pursue to know Yahweh. Like the dawn,{ his} going forth is established, and he will come like the rain to us, like the latter rain{ that} waters the land.” BSB BSB: So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.
4 ULT What shall I do for you, Ephraim? What shall I do for you, Judah? And your covenant faithfulness{ is} like a cloud of the morning, and like the dew rising early{ and} going{ away.} BSB BSB: What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes.
5 ULT Therefore I have hewn{ them} by the prophets; I have killed them by the words of my mouth, and your judgments{ are as} light{ that} goes forth. BSB BSB: Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning.
6 ULT For I desire covenant faithfulness and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. BSB BSB: For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
7 ULT But they, like Adam, they transgressed{ the} covenant; there they acted treacherously against me. BSB BSB: But they, like Adam, have transgressed the covenant; there they were unfaithful to Me.
8 ULT Gilead{ is} a city of workers of evil, tracked with blood. BSB BSB: Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with footprints of blood.
9 ULT And, as lying in wait for a man,{ are} bands; a company of priests murder{ on} the way toward Shechem, for they have done villainy. BSB BSB: Like raiders who lie in ambush, so does a band of priests; they murder on the way to Shechem; surely they have committed atrocities.
10 ULT In the house of Israel I have seen the horrible; Ephraim’ s prostitution{ is} there; Israel is defiled. BSB BSB: In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing: Ephraim practices prostitution there, and Israel is defiled.
11 ULT Also, Judah, he has appointed a harvest for you. When I restore the fortunes of my people, BSB BSB: Also for you, O Judah, a harvest is appointed, when I restore My people from captivity.