First Reading

Let us know, let us strive to know the Lord;

as certain as the dawn is his coming.

He will come to us like the rain,like spring rain that waters the earth.”

What can I do with you, Ephraim?

What can I do with you, Judah?

Your loyalty is like morning mist,

like the dew that disappears early.

For this reason I struck them down through the prophets,

I killed them by the words of my mouth;

my judgment shines forth like the light.

For it is loyalty that I desire, not sacrifice,

and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.