14 For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah; I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.
15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face; in their affliction they will seek me early.
Hosea 6
Intro: An exhortation to repentance.
1 Come, and let us return unto the Lord; for he hath torn, and will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
2 After two days will he revive us; in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord; his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth;
4 O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth; and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7 But they like men have transgressed the covenant; there have they dealt treacherously against me.
8 Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.