Hosea 1   

1 The word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, a Jotham, b Ahaz, c and Hezekiah, d kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam e son of Jehoash, king of Israel.

Hosea’s Marriage and Children

2 When the LORD first spoke to Hosea, he said this to him:

Go and marry a woman of promiscuity, f

and have children of promiscuity,

for the land is committing blatant acts of promiscuity

by abandoning the LORD.

3 So he went and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. g 4 Then the LORD said to him:

Name him Jezreel, A,h for in a little while

I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel i

on the house of Jehu j

and put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.

5   On that day I will break the bow of Israel k

in the Valley of Jezreel. l

6 She conceived again and gave birth to a daughter, and the LORD said to him:

Name her Lo-ruhamah, B

for I will no longer have compassion

on the house of Israel.

I will certainly take them away.

7   But I will have compassion on the house of Judah, m

and I will deliver them by the LORD their God. n

I will not deliver them by bow, sword, or war,

or by horses and cavalry. o

8 After Gomer had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived and gave birth to a son. 9 Then the LORD said:

Name him Lo-ammi, C

for you are not my people,

and I will not be your God. D,p

10   Yet the number of the Israelites

will be like the sand of the sea, q

which cannot be measured or counted.

And in the place where they were told:

You are not my people,

they will be called: Sons of the living God. r

11   And the Judeans and the Israelites

will be gathered together. s

They will appoint for themselves a single ruler t

and go up from E the land.

For the day of Jezreel u will be great.