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The Reply of the Lord


O Ephraim, what shall I do with you?
O Judah, what shall I do with you?
For your [wavering] loyalty and kindness are [transient] like the morning cloud
And like the dew that goes away early.

Therefore, I have hewn them in pieces by [the words of] the prophets;
I have slain them by the words of My mouth;
My judgments [pronounced upon them by the prophets] are like the light that shines forth [obvious to all].

For I desire and delight in [steadfast] loyalty [faithfulness in the covenant relationship], rather than sacrifice,
And in the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.(A)

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What shall I do with you, (A)Ephraim?
What shall I do with you, Judah?
For your loyalty is like a (B)morning cloud,
And like the dew which goes away early.
Therefore I have (C)cut them in pieces by the prophets;
I have slain them by the (D)words of My mouth;
And the judgments on you are like the light that [a]shines.
For (E)I [b]desire loyalty (F)rather than sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 6:5 Lit proceeds
  2. Hosea 6:6 Or take pleasure in

“What can I do with you, Ephraim?(A)
    What can I do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist,
    like the early dew that disappears.(B)
Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets,
    I killed you with the words of my mouth(C)
    then my judgments go forth like the sun.[a](D)
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,(E)
    and acknowledgment(F) of God rather than burnt offerings.(G)

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 6:5 The meaning of the Hebrew for this line is uncertain.