The Word of the LORD to Hosea

1A message from the LORD camea to Beeri’s son Hoseab during the reigns ofc Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and during the reign ofd Joash’s son Jeroboam, who was king of Israel.

Hosea’s Wife and Family

2When a message from the LORD came to Hosea, the LORD told him,e “Go marry a prostitute and have children with her,f because the land is prostituting itself by departing from the LORD.” 3So he went out and married Diblaim’s daughter Gomer. She conceived with him and gave birth to a son.

Naming the Children

4The LORD told Hosea,g “Name the childh ‘Jezreel,’i because in a little while I’ll avenge the blood that was shed by Jehu’s dynasty at Jezreel. I’ll put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. 5At that time I’ll shatter the military strengthj of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel.”

6Gomerk conceived again and gave birth to a daughter, so the LORDl told Hosea,m “Name her ‘Lo-ruhamah,’n because I will no longer be showing mercy to the house of Israel, nor will I forgive them. 7But I’ll have mercy on the house of Judah, and I’ll save them by the LORD their God—I will not save them by the bow, by the sword, by battle, by horses, or by cavalry.”

8After Gomero had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived again and gave birth to a son, 9so the LORDp told Hosea,q “Name him ‘Lo-ammi,’r because you are not my people, and I will not be your God.s 10t Despite this, the number of the people of Israel will be like ocean sand, which can neither be measured nor counted. And the time will come when instead of it being said,u ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said,v ‘You are children of the living God.’ 11w And the people of Judah and the people of Israel will be united as one. They will appoint for themselves a single leader and will take dominion overx the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.