"Come, let us return to YAHWEH.
HE who shattered us to pieces, will heal us as well;
HE has struck us down, but HE will bind up our wounds.
Two days later HE will bring us back to life;
on the third day, HE will raise us up,
and we shall live in HIS presence.
Let us strive to know YAHWEH.
HIS coming is as certain as the dawn;
HIS judgment will burst forth like the light;
HE will come to us as showers come,
like spring rain that waters the earth.
O Ephraim, what shall I do with you?
O Judah, how shall I deal with you?
This love of yours is like morning mist,
like morning dew that quickly disappears.
This is why I smote you through the prophets,
and have slain you by the words of MY mouth.
For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice;
it is knowledge of GOD, not burnt offerings.
- Hosea 6:1-6
(People regret their errors, but they are not so sincere as to abandon their sins. They think they will please GOD by offering a few sacrifices but are far from real love which manifests itself in obedience; they prefer to offer the costly sacrifices which they choose rather than to do what GOD asks of them.
It is love that I desire, not sacrifice. On several occasions JESUS refuted the Pharisees by quoting this saying [see Matthew 9:13].)
