Hosea 3

1 And Jehovah said unto me, Go again, love a woman beloved of a friend, and an adulteress, according to the love of Jehovah for the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods, and love raisin-cakes.

上主對我說：「你再去愛那個另有新歡的淫婦，就如我還是愛慕以色列子民一樣；雖然他們轉向了別的神，愛上了葡萄乾餅。」

2 So I bought her to me for fifteen silver [pieces], and for a homer of barley, and a half-homer of barley.

我就用十五塊銀錢，一「荷默爾」和「勵特客」大麥，把她給我再買回來。

3 And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be [another] man's, and I will also be for thee.

然後對她說：「妳要為我安心多住些時日，不要行淫，不要屬於任何人；我對妳也是這樣。」

4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king, and without prince, and without sacrifice, and without statue, and without ephod and teraphim.

因為以色列子民也將好些日子沒有君王，沒有首領、沒有祭獻，沒有柱像，沒有「厄弗得」，沒有「忒辣芬」。

5 Afterwards shall the children of Israel return, and seek Jehovah their God, and David their king; and shall turn with fear toward Jehovah and toward his goodness, at the end of the days.

此後以色列子民將要回轉過來，尋求上主他們的天主，和他們的君王達味；到末日，他們必要戰戰兢兢地奔向上主，分享衪的美物。