Hosea 6

1 Come, and let us return unto Jehovah; for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.2 After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him.3 And let us know, let us follow on to know Jehovah: his going forth is sure as the morning; and he will come unto us as the rain, as the latter rain that watereth the earth.4 O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the dew that goeth early away.5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.6 For I desire goodness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.7 But they like Adam have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.8 Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity; it is stained with blood.9 And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way toward Shechem; yea, they have committed lewdness.10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing: there whoredom is found in Ephraim, Israel is defiled.11 Also, O Judah, there is a harvest appointed for thee, when I bring back the captivity 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