Hosea 6 - New International Version, 1984

Israel Unrepentant
“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.

After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will restore 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,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”

“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.

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.

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Like Adam, they have broken the covenant—
they were unfaithful to me there.

Gilead is a city of wicked men,
stained with footprints of blood.

As marauders lie in ambush for a man,
so do bands of priests;
they murder on the road to Shechem,
committing shameful crimes.

I have seen a horrible thing
in the house of Israel.
There Ephraim is given to prostitution
and Israel is defiled.

“Also for you, Judah,
a harvest is appointed.
“Whenever I would restore the fortunes of my people,