Hosea 5:15–6:6

15 Then I will return to my place

until they admit their guilt and turn to me.

For as soon as trouble comes,

they will earnestly search for me.”

Chapter 6

A Call to Repentance

1 “Come, let us return to the Lord.

He has torn us to pieces;

now he will heal us.

He has injured us;

now he will bandage our wounds.

2 In just a short time he will restore us,

so that we may live in his presence.

3 Oh, that we might know the Lord!

Let us press on to know him.

He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn

or the coming of rains in early spring.”

4 “O Israel* and Judah,

what should I do with you?” asks the Lord.

“For your love vanishes like the morning mist

and disappears like dew in the sunlight.

5 I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces—

to slaughter you with my words,

with judgments as inescapable as light.

6 I want you to show love,*

not offer sacrifices.

I want you to know me*

more than I want burnt offerings.