Hosea 6
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
A Call to Repentance
6 “Come, let us return to the Lord,
for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us;
he has struck down, and he will bind us up.(A)
2 After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
3 Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;
his appearing is as sure as the dawn;
he will come to us like the showers,
like the spring rains that water the earth.”(B)
Impenitence of Israel and Judah
4 What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?
What shall I do with you, O Judah?
Your love is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that goes away early.(C)
5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets;
I have killed them by the words of my mouth,
and my[a] judgment goes forth as the light.(D)
6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.(E)
7 But at[b] Adam they transgressed the covenant;
there they dealt faithlessly with me.
8 Gilead is a city of evildoers,
tracked with blood.
9 As robbers lie in wait[c] for someone,
so the priests are banded together;[d]
they murder on the road to Shechem;
they commit a monstrous crime.(F)
10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing;
Ephraim’s prostitution is there; Israel is defiled.(G)
11 For you also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed.
When I would restore the fortunes of my people,(H)
Hosea 6
International Standard Version
A Call for Israel to Repent
6 “Come, let us return to the Lord;
even though he has torn us,[a]
he will heal us.
Even though he has wounded us,
he will bind our wounds.[b]
2 After two days, he will restore us to life,
on the third day he will raise us up,
and we will live in his presence.
3 Let us know,
let us pursue knowledge of the Lord;
his coming is as certain as the dawn.
He will come to us like the rain,
like the autumn and spring rains come on the earth.
4 “What am I to do with you, Ephraim?
What am I to do with you, Judah?
Your love is like a morning rain cloud—
it passes away like the morning dew.
5 Therefore I cut them[c] to pieces by the prophets,
killing them by the words from my mouth.
The verdict against you shines like a beacon.
6 For it is love that I seek,
and not sacrifice;
knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7 “But like Adam,[d] they broke the covenant;
in this they have acted deceitfully against me.
8 Gilead is a lawless town;
it is polluted by bloodshed.
9 Like a gang of thieves that stalk a man,
priests commit murder along the road to Shechem,
committing shameful crimes.
10 I have seen a horrible evil in the house of Israel—
Ephraim’s promiscuity.
Israel is defiled.
11 “So, Judah, a harvest has been appointed for you
when I restore my people from captivity.”
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