Hosea 6

New International Version

• 1. "Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds.
• 2. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.
• 3. 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, like the spring rains that water the earth."
• 4. "What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.
• 5. Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth; my judgments flashed like lightning upon you.
• 6. For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
• 7. Like Adam, they have broken the covenant- they were unfaithful to me there.
• 8. Gilead is a city of wicked men, stained with footprints of blood.
• 9. As marauders lie in ambush for a man, so do bands of priests; they murder on the road to Shechem, committing shameful crimes.
• 10. I have seen a horrible thing in the house of Israel. There Ephraim is given to prostitution and Israel is defiled.
• 11. "Also for you, Judah, a harvest is appointed. "Whenever I would restore the fortunes of my people,

New International Version