Hosea’s Wife Is Redeemed
1 Then the Lord said to me, "Go and love your wife again, even though she3:1a Or Go and love a woman who. commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.3:1b Hebrew love their raisin cakes."
2 So I bought her back for fifteen pieces of silver3:2a Hebrew 15 [shekels] of silver, about 6 ounces or 171 grams in weight. and five bushels of barley and a measure of wine.3:2b As in Greek version, which reads a homer of barley and a wineskin full of wine; Hebrew reads a homer [5 bushels or 220 liters] of barley and a lethek [2.5 bushels or 110 liters] of barley.3 Then I said to her, "You must live in my house for many days and stop your prostitution. During this time, you will not have sexual relations with anyone, not even with me.3:3 Or and I will live with you."
4 This shows that Israel will go a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests,3:4 Hebrew ephod, the vest worn by the priest. or even idols! 5 But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the Lord their God and to David’s descendant, their king.3:5 Hebrew to David their king. In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the Lord and of his goodness.