Hosea 6

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 people,

HOSEA 6

The [Lord]'s People Speak

1 Let's return to the [Lord].
He has torn us to shreds,
but he will bandage our wounds
and make us well.

2 In two or three days
he will heal us
and restore our strength
that we may live with him.

3 Let's do our best
to know the [Lord].
His coming is as certain
as the morning sun;
he will refresh us like rain
renewing the earth
in the springtime.

The [Lord] Speaks to //Israel and Judah

4 People of Israel and Judah,
what can I do with you?
Your love for me disappears
more quickly than mist
or dew at sunrise.

5 That's why I slaughtered you
with the words
of my prophets.
That's why my judgments blazed
like the dawning sun.t

6  t I'd rather for you to be faithful
and to know me
than to offer sacrifices.

7 At a place named Adam,
yout betrayed me
by breaking our agreement.

8 Everyone in Gilead is evil;
your hands are stained
with the blood of victims.t

9 You priests are like a gang
of robbers in ambush.t
On the road to Shechemt
you murder and commit
other horrible crimes.

10 I have seen a terrible thing
in Israel—
you are unfaithful
and unfit to worship me.

11 People of Judah,
your time is coming too.

The [Lord] Wants To Help Israel