She will pursue her lovers but not catch them;
she will seek them but not find them.
Then she will think,
“I will go back to my former husband,
for then it was better for me than now.”

Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come with awe to the Lord and to His goodness in the last days.

They go with their flocks and herds
to seek the Lord
but do not find Him;
He has withdrawn from them.

I will depart and return to My place
until they recognize their guilt and seek My face;
they will search for Me in their distress.

I have seen something horrible in the house of Israel:
Ephraim’s promiscuity is there; Israel is defiled.

Israel’s arrogance testifies against them,
yet they do not return to Yahweh their God,
and for all this, they do not seek Him.

I have seen Ephraim like Tyre,
planted in a meadow,
so Ephraim will bring out his children
to the executioner.

Sow righteousness for yourselves
and reap faithful love;
break up your unplowed ground.
It is time to seek the Lord
until He comes and sends righteousness
on you like the rain.