The Lord’s First Lament

What am I going to do with you, Ephraim?(A)
What am I going to do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist(B)
and like the early dew that vanishes.
This is why I have used the prophets
to cut them down;[a](C)
I have killed them with the words from my mouth.
My judgment strikes like lightning.[b]
For I desire faithful love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God(D) rather than burnt offerings.(E)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 6:5 Or have cut down the prophets
  2. 6:5 LXX, Syr, Tg; MT reads Your judgments go out as light

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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

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