Hosea 6
The people of Israel express a desire to return to the Lord, acknowledging that He has torn them apart but will heal and restore them. However, the Lord laments that their love for Him is fleeting and they have broken their covenant with Him. The Lord desires mercy and acknowledgment of God rather than sacrifices and burnt offerings, but the people have instead turned to wickedness and prostitution. A harvest of judgment is appointed for both Israel and Judah.
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.2After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.3Let 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.5Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth; my judgments flashed like lightning upon you.6For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.7Like Adam, they have broken the covenant- they were unfaithful to me there.8Gilead is a city of wicked men, stained with footprints of blood.9As marauders lie in ambush for a man, so do bands of priests; they murder on the road to Shechem, committing shameful crimes.10I 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,
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