1  Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel,

for ^wthe Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land.

There is no faithfulness or steadfast love,

and no ^xknowledge of God in the land;

4  Their deeds do not permit them

to return to their God.

For the ^mspirit of whoredom is within them,

and ⁿthey know not the Lord.

3  Let us know; let us press on to ^bknow the Lord;

his going out is sure as the dawn;

he will come to us as the showers,

as the spring rains that water the earth.”

6  For ^eI desire steadfast love¹ and not sacrifice,

the knowledge of God ^frather than burnt offerings.

4  But ^xI am the Lord your God

from the land of Egypt;

you know no God but me,

and ^ybesides me there is no savior.