< Hosea 3 >
1 Bwana akaniambia, “Nenda tena, mpendeni mwanamke, aliyependwa na mumewe; lakini ni mzinzi. Mpende kama mimi, Bwana, ninavyowapenda watu wa Israeli, ingawa wanaigeukia miungu mingine na kupenda mikate ya zabibu.”
Then said the Lord unto me, Go once more, love a woman beloved of her husband, yet committing adultery; like the love of the Lord toward the children of Israel, who turn themselves after other gods, and love flagons of wine.
2 Kwa hiyo nimemnunulia mwenyewe kwa vipande kumi na tano vya fedha na homeri na letheki ya shayiri.
So I bought me such a one for fifteen pieces of silver, and for a chomer of barley, and half a chomer of barley.
3 Nilimwambia, “Lazima uishi pamoja nami siku nyingi. Huwezi kuwa kahaba au kuwa na mtu mwingine yeyote. Kwa njia hiyo hiyo, nitakuwa pamoja nanyi.”
And I said unto her, Many days shalt thou abide [true] for me: thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not belong to any man, and so will I also be toward thee.
4 Kwa maana wana wa Israeli wataishi kwa siku nyingi bila mfalme, mtu mkuu, dhabihu, nguzo ya mawe, efodi au sanamu za nyumbani.
For many days shall the children of Israel abide without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without a standing image, and without an ephod and theraphim.
5 Baadaye watu wa Israeli watarudi na kumtafuta Bwana Mungu wao na Daudi mfalme wao. Na katika siku za mwisho, watakuja wakitetemeka mbele za Bwana na wema wake.
After that will the children of Israel return, and seek for the Lord their God and David their king; and fearing will they hasten to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days,