First reading
“Come, let us return
to the Lord,
it is he who has rent,
but he will heal us;
he has struck us, but he
will bind our wounds.
He will revive us
after two days;
on the third day he
will raise us up,
to live in his presence.
Let us know, let us strive
to know the Lord;
as certain as the dawn
is his coming,
and his judgment shines
forth like the light of day!
He will come to us
like the rain,
like spring rain that waters
the earth.”
What can I do with you,
Ephraim?
What can I do with you,
Judah?
Your piety is like a
morning cloud,
like the dew that
early passes away.
For this reason I smote them
through the prophets,
I slew them by the words
of my mouth;
For it is love that I desire,
not sacrifice,
and knowledge of God
rather than burnt
offerings.