Then I will return to my lair

    until they have borne their guilt

    and seek my face—

in their misery

    they will earnestly seek me.”

6 

“Come, let us return to the Lord.

He has torn us to pieces

    but he will heal us;

he has injured us

    but he will bind up our wounds.

2 

After two days he will revive us;

    on the third day he will restore us,

    that we may live in his presence.

3 

Let us acknowledge the Lord;

    let us press on to acknowledge him.

As surely as the sun rises,

    he will appear;

he will come to us like the winter rains,

    like the spring rains that water the earth.”

4 

“What can I do with you, Ephraim?

    What can I do with you, Judah?

Your love is like the morning mist,

    like the early dew that disappears.

5 

Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets,

    I killed you with the words of my mouth—

    then my judgments go forth like the sun.[a]

6 

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,

    and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.