What shall I do with you, (A)O (B)Ephraim?
    What shall I do with you, O (C)Judah?
Your love is (D)like a morning cloud,
    (E)like the dew that goes early away.
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets;
    I have slain them (F)by the words of my mouth,
    and my judgment goes forth as the light.
For (G)I desire steadfast love[a] and not sacrifice,
    (H)the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 6:6 Septuagint mercy

Infidelity and divine retribution

    Ephraim, what will I do with you?
            Judah, what will I do with you?
    Your love is like a morning cloud,
            like the dew that vanishes quickly.
    Therefore, I have attacked them by the prophets,
            I have killed them by the words of my mouth,
                and my judgment goes forth like a light.
    I desire faithful love and not sacrifice,
            the knowledge of God instead of entirely burned offerings.

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