4Hosea 4

1Hear Yahweh’s word, you children of Israel; for Yahweh has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “Indeed there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land.Select Hosea 4:1

2There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break boundaries, and bloodshed causes bloodshed.Select Hosea 4:2

3Therefore the land will mourn, and everyone who dwells therein will waste away. all living things in her, even the animals of the field and the birds of the sky; yes, the fish of the sea also die.Select Hosea 4:3

4“Yet let no man bring a charge, neither let any man accuse; For your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.Select Hosea 4:4

5You will stumble in the day, and the prophet will also stumble with you in the night; and I will destroy your mother.Select Hosea 4:5

6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you may be no priest to me. Because you have forgotten your God’s law, I will also forget your children.Select Hosea 4:6

7As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me. I will change their glory into shame.Select Hosea 4:7

8They feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity.Select Hosea 4:8

9It will be, like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and will repay them for their deeds.Select Hosea 4:9

10They will eat, and not have enough. They will play the prostitute, and will not increase; because they have abandoned giving to Yahweh.Select Hosea 4:10

11Prostitution, wine, and new wine take away understanding.Select Hosea 4:11

12My people consult with their wooden idol, and answer to a stick of wood. Indeed the spirit of prostitution has led them astray, and they have been unfaithful to their God.Select Hosea 4:12

13They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains, and burn incense on the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinths, because its shade is good. Therefore your daughters play the prostitute, and your brides commit adultery.Select Hosea 4:13

14I will not punish your daughters when they play the prostitute, nor your brides when they commit adultery; because the men consort with prostitutes, and they sacrifice with the shrine prostitutes; so the people without understanding will come to ruin.Select Hosea 4:14

15“Though you, Israel, play the prostitute, yet don’t let Judah offend; and don’t come to Gilgal, neither go up to Beth Aven, nor swear, ‘As Yahweh lives.’Select Hosea 4:15

16For Israel has behaved extremely stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. Then how will Yahweh feed them like a lamb in a meadow.Select Hosea 4:16

17Ephraim is joined to idols. Leave him alone!Select Hosea 4:17

18Their drink has become sour. They play the prostitute continually. Her rulers dearly love their shameful way.Select Hosea 4:18

19The wind has wrapped her up in its wings; and they shall be disappointed because of their sacrifices.Select Hosea 4:19