Study Desk

"Come, let us return^(a) to the Lord . He has torn us to pieces^(b) but he will heal us;^(c) he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.^(d)

After two days he will revive us;^(e) on the third day^(f) he will restore^(g) us, that we may live in his presence.

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,^(h) like the spring rains that water the earth.⁽ⁱ⁾"

"What can I do with you, Ephraim?^(j) What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.^(k)

Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth^(l)— then my judgments go forth like the sun.^[a](m)

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,⁽ⁿ⁾ and acknowledgment^(o) of God rather than burnt offerings.^(p)

As at Adam,^[b] they have broken the covenant;^(q) they were unfaithful^(r) to me there.

Gilead is a city of evildoers,^(s) stained with footprints of blood.

As marauders lie in ambush for a victim,^(t) so do bands of priests; they murder^(u) on the road to Shechem, carrying out their wicked schemes.^(v)

I have seen a horrible^(w) thing in Israel: There Ephraim is given to prostitution, Israel is defiled.^(x)

"Also for you, Judah, a harvest^(y) is appointed. "Whenever I would restore the fortunes^(z) of my people,

¹whenever I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed.^(a) They practice deceit,^(b) thieves break into houses,^(c) bandits rob in the streets;^(d)

but they do not realize that I remember^(e) all their evil deeds.^(f) Their sins engulf them;^(g) they are always before me.