< Hosea 3 >
1 Then said the LORD to me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.
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 pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an 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 to her, You shall abide for me many days; you shall not play the harlot, and you shall not be for another man: so will I also be for you.
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 a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without 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 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter 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。