The Unrepentance of Israel and Judah

1Come, 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.

2After two dayes shall he quicken vs, in the thirde day he shall rayse vs vp, so that we shall liue in his sight.

3Then 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.

4O 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.

5Therfore haue I cut downe the prophetes, and let them be slayne for my wordes sake, so that thy punishment shall come to light.

6For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice: and the knowledge of God more then burnt offeringes.

7But euen like as Adam did, so haue they broken my couenaunt, and set me at naught.

8Gilead is a citie of wicked doers, and is polluted with blood.

9And 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.

10Horrible thinges haue I seene in the house of Israel: there is the fornication of Ephraim, and Israel is defiled.

11Yea, and thou Iuda kepest an haruest for thy selfe, when I returne the captiuitie of my people.