O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? - to bring thee back to piety. What more could be done that I have not done, both in mercies and chastenings? (Isaiah 5:4.) At this verse a new discourse begins, resuming the threats (Hosea 5:14). See opening remarks on this chapter.
For your goodness - godliness.
Is as a morning cloud - soon dispersed by the sun (Hosea 13:3, "Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away:" a just retribution in kind). There is a tacit contrast here to the promise of God's grace to Israel hereafter, in Hosea 6:3, His going forth is "as the morning," shining more and more unto the perfect day; your goodness is "as a morning cloud," soon vanishing. His coming to His people is "as the (fertilizing) latter and former rains;" your coming to Him "as the early dew goeth away."