Hosea 3

1 Then said Yahweh unto me, Once more, go love a woman who loveth a friend, and is an adulteress, —according to the love of Yahweh unto the sons of Israel, though they keep turning away unto other gods, and love [idolatrous] raisin-cakes.

Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, show love to this woman, who is loved by another, who commits adultery. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods, and love the raisin cakes offered to idols.

2 So I secured her to me, for fifteen pieces of silver, —and a homer of barley, and a half-homer of barley;

So I redeemed her for fifteen pieces of silver and a homer and a lethek of barley.

3 and I said unto her, Many days, shalt thou tarry for me, thou shalt not be unchaste, neither shalt thou become another man’s, —moreover also, I, [will tarry] for thee.

And I told her, “You must live with me for many days and you must not sleep around or marry another. And I will do the same for you.

4 For, many days, shall the sons of Israel tarry, without king, and without ruler, and without sacrifice, and without pillar; and without ephod, or household gods.

And like this the Israelites will live for a long time without king and without prince, without sacrifice and without pillar, without ephod and without teraphim.

5 Afterwards, shall the sons of Israel return, and seek Yahweh their God, and David their king, —and shall turn with throbbing hearts unto Yahweh and unto his goodness, in the afterpart of the days.

Yet afterward the Israelites will return, and seek the Lord their God and their Davidic king, and in the days to come they will turn with awe to the Lord and his goodness.