Hosea 5:15–6:6

15 I will return again to my place

until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face.

In their distress they will beg my favor:*

A Call to Repentance

6 “Come, let us return to the Lord,

for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us;

he has struck down, and he will bind us up.*

2 After two days he will revive us;

on the third day he will raise us up,

that we may live before him.

3 Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;

his appearing is as sure as the dawn;

he will come to us like the showers,

like the spring rains that water the earth.”*

Impenitence of Israel and Judah

4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?

What shall I do with you, O Judah?

Your love is like a morning cloud,

like the dew that goes away early.*

5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets;

I have killed them by the words of my mouth,

and myb judgment goes forth as the light.*

6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,

the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.*