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.

The LORD said to me, “Go again, love a woman loved by another, and an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods, and love cakes of raisins.”

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 bought her for myself for fifteen pieces of silver and a homer and a half 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.

I said to her, “You shall stay with me many days. You shall not play the prostitute, and you shall not be with any other man. I will also be so toward 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.

For the children of Israel shall live many days without king, without prince, without sacrifice, without sacred stone, and without ephod or idols.

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.

Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God, and David their king, and shall come with trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.