She will follow after her lovers, but she won't overtake them; and she will seek them, but won't find them. Then she will say, 'I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.'

Afterward the children of Israel shall return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king, and shall come with trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.

They will go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they won't find him. He has withdrawn himself from them.

I will go and return to my place, until they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face. In their affliction they will seek me earnestly."

In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing. There is prostitution in Ephraim. Israel is defiled.

I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a pleasant place; but Ephraim will bring out his children to the murderer.

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness. Break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and rains righteousness on you.