Revised Standard Version RSV
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 "Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn, that he may heal us; he has stricken, and he will bind us up.
1
Let's return to the LORD. Even though he has torn us to pieces, he will heal us. Even though he has wounded us, he will bandage our wounds.
2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.
2
After two days he will revive us. On the third day he will raise us so that we may live in his presence.
3 Let us know, let us press on to know the LORD; his going forth is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth."
3
Let's learn about the LORD. Let's get to know the LORD. He will come to us as sure as the morning comes. He will come to us like the autumn rains and the spring rains that water the ground.
4 What shall I do with you, O E'phraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes early away.
4
"What should I do with you, Ephraim? What should I do with you, Judah? Your love is like fog in the morning. It disappears as quickly as the morning dew.
5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light.
5
That is why I cut [you] down by sending the prophets. I killed you with the words from my mouth. My judgments shined on you like light.
6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God, rather than burnt offerings.
6
I want your loyalty, not your sacrifices. I want you to know me, not to give me burnt offerings.
7 But at Adam they transgressed the covenant; there they dealt faithlessly with me.
7
"Like Adam, you rejected the promise. You were unfaithful to me.
8 Gilead is a city of evildoers, tracked with blood.
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Gilead is a city filled with troublemakers. It is stained with bloody footprints.
9 As robbers lie in wait for a man, so the priests are banded together; they murder on the way to Shechem, yea, they commit villainy.
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The priests are like gangs of robbers who lie in ambush for a person. They murder on the road to Shechem. Certainly, they have committed a crime.
10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing; E'phraim's harlotry is there, Israel is defiled.
10
"I have seen horrible things in the nation of Israel. Ephraim is acting like a prostitute, and Israel is unclean.
11 For you also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed. When I would restore the fortunes of my people,
11
"Yet, Judah, I have set a harvest time for you when I bring my people back from captivity.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.