4. O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? Your mercy is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goes away.
5. Therefore I have hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: that thy righteousness be as the light that goes forth.
6. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7. But they have transposed the covenant as of men: there they have rebelled against me.
8. Gilead is a city of those that work iniquity and is polluted with blood.
9. And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the council of priests murder in the way by common accord; for they put the abomination into effect.
10. I saw uncleanness in the house of Israel: there Ephraim played the harlot, Israel defiled herself.