1
Come, let vs turne agayne to the Lorde: for he hath smitten vs, and he shall heale vs, he hath wounded vs, and he shall binde vs vp agayne.
2
After two dayes shall he quicken vs, in the thirde day he shall rayse vs vp, so that we shall liue in his sight.
3
Then shall we haue vnderstanding, and endeuour our selues to knowe the Lord: he shal go foorth as the spring of the day, & come vnto vs as the rayne, and as the latter rayne vnto the earth.
4
O Ephraim, what shall I do vnto thee?
O Iuda, howe shall I intreate thee?
for your goodnesse is lyke a morning cloude, & like a deawe that goeth early away.
5
Therfore haue I cut downe the prophetes, and let them be slayne for my wordes sake, so that thy punishment shall come to light.
6
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice: and the knowledge of God more then burnt offeringes.
7
But euen like as Adam did, so haue they broken my couenaunt, and set me at naught.
8
Gilead is a citie of wicked doers, and [is] polluted with blood.
9
And as theeues [armed] wayte for him that passeth by the way: suche is the counsell of the priestes, which with one agreed counsell murther cruelly suche as kepe the way, yea they dare do all vnspeakable mischiefe.
10
Horrible thinges haue I seene in the house of Israel: there is the fornication of Ephraim, and Israel is defiled.
11
Yea, and thou Iuda kepest an haruest for thy selfe, when I returne the captiuitie of my people.