Hosea 6:1-6

Contemporary English Version

The Lord's People Speak

6 Let's return to the Lord.
    He has torn us to shreds,
but he will bandage our wounds
    and make us well.
²In two or three days
    he will heal us
and restore our strength
    that we may live with him.
³Let's do our best
    to know the Lord.
His coming is as certain
    as the morning sun;
he will refresh us like rain
renewing the earth
    in the springtime.

The Lord Speaks to Israel and Judah

⁴People of Israel and Judah,
    what can I do with you?
Your love for me disappears
more quickly than mist
    or dew at sunrise.
⁵That's why I slaughtered you
with the words
    of my prophets.
That's why my judgments blazed
    like the dawning sun.^[a]
⁶^(A) I'd rather for you to be faithful
and to know me
    than to offer sacrifices.