Hosea 1

1 The word of the Lord came to Hosea son of Beeri in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel. 2 When the Lord first spoke to Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, take for yourself a wife of whoring and children of whoring, because the land will certainly go whoring by turning away from the Lord.” † 3 So he went and took Gomer daughter of Diblaim. She conceived and bore him a son. 4 Then the Lord said to him, “Name him Jezreel, because in a little while I will avenge the blood of Jezreel on the house of Jehu and bring the kingdom of the house of Israel to an end. [a] 5 On that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel.” 6 She conceived again and bore a daughter. The Lord said to Hosea, “Name her Not Pitied, because I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel. Instead, I will set myself firmly against them. [b] 7 But I will have mercy on the house of Judah and save them by the Lord their God. I will not save them by bow, sword, war, chariots, horses, or horsemen.” 8 After she weaned Not Pitied, she conceived and bore a son. 9 The Lord said, “Name him Not My People, because you are not my people, and I do not belong to you.” [c]