“A cunning Canaanite!Deceitful scales are in his hand;He loves to oppress.

“All their wickedness is in Gilgal,For there I hated them.Because of the evil of their deedsI will drive them from My house;I will love them no more.All their princes are rebellious.

Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth,And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy;Then I will say to those who were not My people,‘You are My people!’And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’ ”

Their drink is rebellion,They commit harlotry continually.Her rulers dearly love dishonor.

I drew them with gentle cords,With bands of love,And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck.I stooped and fed them.

So you, by the help of your God, return;Observe mercy and justice,And wait on your God continually.

“O Ephraim, what shall I do to you?O Judah, what shall I do to you?For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud,And like the early dew it goes away.

Do not rejoice, O Israel, with joy like other peoples,For you have played the harlot against your God.You have made love for hire on every threshing floor.

“I will heal their backsliding,I will love them freely,For My anger has turned away from him.

So rend your heart, and not your garments;Return to the Lord your God,For He is gracious and merciful,Slow to anger, and of great kindness;And He relents from doing harm.