New American Standard Bible 1995

Hosea 3

1 Then the LORD said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes."

2 So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a half of barley.

3 Then I said to her, "You shall stay with me for many days. You shall not play the harlot, nor shall you have a man; so I will also be toward you."

4 For the sons of Israel will remain for many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar and without ephod or household idols.

5 Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king; and they will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.

Chapter Summary

Hosea buys back his unfaithful wife, picturing God's persistent love for Israel despite her waywardness.

Book Summary

Hosea's marriage to an unfaithful wife becomes a living parable of God's covenant love for wayward Israel. The book exposes Israel's spiritual adultery while revealing a divine love that will not let His people go.

< Hosea 2 Hosea 4 >

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New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.

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