6 “Come on, let’s return to Yahweh.

He tore us apart, but he’ll heal us.

He struck us down, but he’ll bandage our wounds.

2 After two days he’ll revive us.

≈He’ll raise us up on the third day,

so that we can live in his presence.

3 Let us know—let’s press on to know Yahweh.

His arrival is certain as the dawn.

≈He will come to us like the showers—

≈like the spring rains that water the earth.”

4 What will I do with you, Efraim?

≈Yehudah, what will I do with you?

Your love is like a morning cloud that doesn’t last long—

≈like the dew that quickly disappears.

5 That’s why I’ve cut them to pieces by means of the prophets.

≈I’ve killed them with the messages that I’ve spoken.

My judgement is like the light that shines out.

6 because I desire loyal commitment rather than sacrifices,

≈and knowledge about God rather than burnt offerings.[ref]

7 Like Adam, they broke the agreement.

≈They were unfaithful to me.

8 Gilead is a city full of evildoers

leaving behind bloody footprints.

9 Just like a band of raiders lie in wait for a man,

so the priests band together to commit murder on the way to Shekem.

Surely they’ve committed shameful crimes.

10 I’ve seen a horrible thing among the Israelis.

Efraim’s prostitution is there—Yisrael is defiled.

11 A harvest has been appointed for you also, Yehudah,

when I restore my people’s fortunes.

7 Whenever I’d heal Yisrael, Efraim’s sin is exposed,

as well as the evil deeds of Shomron (Samaria).

Yes, they’re deceitful, plus thieves break in,

and a group of raiders robs people in the streets.

2 But they don’t realise in their hearts that I remember all their evil.

≈Now their deeds surround them—they’re staring at me in the face.