A Call to Repentance

6 Come, let us return to the Lord. r

For He has torn us, s

and He will heal us; t

He has wounded us,

and He will bind up our wounds. u

2 He will revive us after two days, v

and on the third day He will raise us up

so we can live in His presence. w

3 Let us strive to know the Lord. x

His appearance is as sure as the dawn. y

He will come to us like the rain, z

like the spring showers that water the land.

The Lord’s First Lament

4 What am I going to do with you, Ephraim? a

What am I going to do with you, Judah?

Your loyalty is like the morning mist b

and like the early dew that vanishes.

5 This is why I have used the prophets

to cut them down; c d

I have killed them with the words of My mouth.

My judgment strikes like lightning. e

6 For I desire loyalty and not sacrifice,

the knowledge of God f rather than * burnt offerings. g

7 But they, like Adam, h have violated the covenant; i

there they have betrayed Me. j

8 Gilead is a city of evildoers, k

tracked with bloody footprints. l

9 Like raiders who wait in ambush for someone, m

a band of priests murders on the road to Shechem. n

They commit atrocities. o

10 I have seen something horrible p in the house of Israel:

Ephraim’s promiscuity is there; q Israel is defiled.

11 A harvest is also appointed for you, Judah. r

When I s return My people from captivity, t