Commentary on Hosea

1“Come and let us return to Jehovah; For he hath torn, and he will heal us; He hath smitten, and he will bind up our wounds:

2He will revive us after two days, On the third day he will raise us up,

3And we shall live in his presence: And we shall know and pursue after the knowledge of Jehovah; As the dawn, his going forth is appointed; And he shall come as the rain to us, As the latter rain — a rain to the earth.” (260)

4What shall I do to thee, Ephraim? What shall I do to thee, Judah? For your goodness is like the morning dew, Like the cloud which passeth away early.

5I have therefore hewn them by my Prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth; And thy judgments have been as the light which goeth forth:

6For mercy I desire, and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God before burnt-offerings.

7But they as men have transgressed the covenant; In this they have dealt perfidiously with me.

8Gilead is a city of those who work iniquity, filled with blood;

9And, as robbers wait for a man, The company of priests kill in the way by consent; For their wicked purpose they accomplish.

10In the house of Israel have I seen infamy; There is the wantonness of Ephraim, — Israel is polluted.

11Judah also did set a plant for thee, While I was restoring the captivity of my people.