< Hosea 3 >
1 Then said the LORD to me, Go yet, love a woman beloved by [her] friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD towards 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] 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 to her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for [another] man: so [will] I 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 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。