Hosea 6:4-Hosea 7:2 - The Lord's First Lament

⁴ What can I do unto thee, O Ephraim? What can I do unto thee, O Judah? for, your lovingkindness, is like a morning cloud, yea, like the dew, early departing! ⁵ For this cause, have I hewn them in pieces by the prophets, I have slain them by the sayings of my mouth, - and, my justice, as a light goeth forth. ⁶ For, lovingkindness, I desired, and not sacrifice, - and the knowledge of God, more than ascending-offerings.

⁷ But, they, like Adam, have transgressed a covenant, - There, have they dealt treacherously with me. ⁸ Gilead, is a city of workers of iniquity, - tracked with blood. ⁹ And, like liers in wait for a man, in troops, is a band of priests, on the road, will they murder towards Shechem, - because, a shameful deed, they have done. ¹⁰ In the house of Israel, have I seen a horrible thing, - there, the unchastity of Ephraim, defiled is Israel. ¹¹ Judah too! a harvest is appointed for thee, - in that I will bring back the captivity of my people.

¹ When I would have brought healing to Israel, then was disclosed the iniquity of Ephraim, and the wicked doings of Samaria, for they have wrought falsehood, - when, a thief, would enter, a band roamed about, outside, ² And they say not to their own hearts, that, all their wickedness, I remember, now, have their doings, beset them about, right before my face, have they been done.