1 Izwi likaJehova elafika kuHoseya indodana kaBeri ezinsukwini zawo-Uziya, noJothamu, no-Ahazi, noHezekiya, amakhosi akwaJuda, nasezinsukwini zikaJerobowamu indodana kaJowashi, inkosi yakwa-Israyeli.
2 Lapho uJehova eqala ukukhuluma ngoHoseya, uJehova wathi kuHoseya: “Hamba uzithathele umfazi ophingayo nabantwana bophingayo, ngokuba izwe liyaphinga nokuphinga ngokungamlandeli uJehova.”
3 Wayesehamba, wathatha uGomere indodakazi kaDibilayimi; wakhulelwa, wamzalela indodana.
4 UJehova wathi kuye: “Qamba igama layo ngokuthi uJizreyeli, ngokuba kusezakuba yisikhashana ngize ngiphindisele igazi likaJizreyeli phezu kwendlu kaJehu, ngiqede umbuso wendlu ka-Israyeli.
5 Kuyakuthi ngalolo suku ngaphule umnsalo ka-Israyeli esigodini saseJizreyeli.”
6 Wabuye wakhulelwa, wazala indodakazi. Wayesethi uJehova kuye: “Qamba igama layo ngokuthi uLo Ruhama,* ngokuba angisayikuyihawukela indlu yakwa-Israyeli ukuba ngibathethelele.
7 Kepha indlu yakwaJuda ngiyakuyihawukela, ngibasindise ngoJehova uNkulunkulu wabo, ngingabasindisi ngomnsalo, nangenkemba, nangokulwa, nangamahhashi, nangabamahhashi.”