Hosea 3

1 Yehowa gblɔ nam be, “Yi nàkplɔ srɔ̃wò agbɔe, eye nàlɔ̃e, togbɔ be ame bubu le elɔ̃m, eye wòwɔ ahasi hã, elabena Yehowa galɔ̃ Israel kokoko, togbɔ be edzo yi ɖe mawu bubuwo gbɔ, eye wòlɔ̃ waintsetsebolo hã.”

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.

2 Ale megbugbɔ ƒlee tso eƒe kluvinyenye me kple klosalo wuiatɔ̃ kple lu agba alafa ɖeka blaatɔ̃.

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

3 Megblɔ nɛ be, “Ele be nànɔ gbɔnye ŋkeke geɖe; mègado go kple ŋutsu bubuwo alo awɔ gbolo o, ekema manye tɔwò ɖaa.”

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.

4 Le ɣeyiɣi didi siwo gbɔna me la, fia alo amegã manɔ Israel si o, vɔsasa, legba, kɔmewu alo aklamakpakpɛ ŋutɔ gɔ̃ hã manɔ wo si o!

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.

5 Emegbe la, woatrɔ adi Yehowa, woƒe Mawu la, eye woayi woƒe Fia gbɔ. Woatsɔ dzodzo nyanyanya ava Yehowa kple eƒe dɔmenyonyo gbɔ le ŋkeke mamlɛawo me.

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.