Hosea 3

Hosea and the Unfaithful Woman

1 The Lord said to me, "Go again*3.1: The Lord … again; or The Lord spoke to me again. He said, "Go …" and show your love for a woman who is committing adultery with a lover. You must love her just as I still love the people of Israel, even though they turn to other gods and like to take offerings of raisins to idols."*3.1: offerings of raisins to idols: Dried grapes were used in the worship of fertility gods, who were believed to give abundant harvests to their worshipers.

2 So I paid fifteen pieces of silver and seven bushels of barley to buy her. 3 I told her that for a long time she would have to wait for me without being a prostitute or committing adultery; and during this time I would wait for her. 4 In just this way the people of Israel will have to live for a long time without kings or leaders, without sacrifices or sacred stone pillars, without idols or images to use for divination. 5 But the time will come when the people of Israel will once again turn to the Lord their God and to a descendant of David their king. Then they will fear the Lord and will receive his good gifts.