Hosea 1:2-9

New International Reader's Version

Hosea’s Wife and Children

² The Lord began to speak through Hosea. He said to him, “Go. Marry a woman who has sex with anyone she wants. Have children with her. Do this because the people of the land are like that kind of wife. They have not been faithful to me.” ³ So Hosea married Gomer. She was the daughter of Diblaim. Gomer became pregnant and had a son by Hosea.

⁴ Then the Lord said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel. That’s because I will soon punish Jehu’s royal family. He killed many people at the city of Jezreel. So I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. ⁵ At that time I will break their military power. It will happen in the Valley of Jezreel.”

⁶ Gomer became pregnant again. She had a daughter. Then the Lord said to Hosea, “Name her Lo-Ruhamah.” Lo-Ruhamah means Not Loved. “That’s because I will no longer show love to the people of Israel. I will not forgive them anymore. ⁷ But I will show love to the people of Judah. And I will save them. I will not use bows or swords or other weapons of war to do it. I will not save them by using horses and horsemen either. Instead, I will use my own power to save them. I am the Lord their God. And I will save them.”

⁸ Later, Gomer stopped nursing Lo-Ruhamah. After that, she had another son. ⁹ Then the Lord said, “Name him Lo-Ammi.” Lo-Ammi means Not My People. “That’s because Israel is no longer my people. And I am no longer their God.