A reading from the Book of the Prophet Hosea 6:1-6
What can I do with you, Ephraim?/ What can I do with you, Judah?/ Your piety is like a morning cloud,/ like the dew that early passes away./ For this reason I smote them through the prophets,/ I slew them by the words of my mouth;/ For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice,/ and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.