“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.

Impenitence of Israel and Judah

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.(A)
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.(B)
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
    the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 6.5 Gk Syr: Heb your