“When Ephraim saw his sickness, And Judah saw his wound, Then Ephraim went to Assyria And sent to King Jareb; Yet he cannot cure you, Nor heal you of your wound.

A Call to Repentance

Come, and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.

Israel Has Rebelled Against God

“When I would have healed Israel, Then the iniquity of Ephraim was uncovered, And the wickedness of Samaria. For they have committed fraud; A thief comes in; A band of robbers takes spoil outside.

“I taught Ephraim to walk, Taking them by their arms; But they did not know that I healed them.

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