NETfree - Hosea - 4

4:1  Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites! For the LORD has a covenant lawsuit against the people of Israel. For there is neither faithfulness nor loyalty in the land, nor do they acknowledge God.

4:2  There is only cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery. They resort to violence and bloodshed.

4:3  Therefore the land will mourn, and all its inhabitants will perish. The wild animals, the birds of the sky, and even the fish in the sea will perish.

4:4  Do not let anyone accuse or contend against anyone else: for my case is against you priests!

4:5  You stumble day and night, and the false prophets stumble with you; You have destroyed your own people!

4:6  You have destroyed my people by failing to acknowledge me! Because you refuse to acknowledge me, I will reject you as my priests. Because you reject the law of your God, I will reject your descendants.

4:7  The more the priests increased in numbers, the more they rebelled against me. They have turned their glorious calling into a shameful disgrace!

4:8  They feed on the sin offerings of my people; their appetites long for their iniquity!

4:9  I will deal with the people and priests together: I will punish them both for their ways, and I will repay them for their deeds.

4:10  They will eat, but not be satisfied; they will engage in prostitution, but not increase in numbers; because they have abandoned the LORD by pursuing other gods.

4:11  Old and new wine take away the understanding of my people.

4:12  They consult their wooden idols, and their diviner's staff answers with an oracle. The wind of prostitution blows them astray; they commit spiritual adultery against their God.

4:13  They sacrifice on the mountaintops, and burn offerings on the hills; they sacrifice under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is so pleasant. As a result, your daughters have become cult prostitutes, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery!

4:14  I will not punish your daughters when they commit prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men consort with harlots, they sacrifice with temple prostitutes. It is true: "A people that lacks understanding will come to ruin!"

4:15  Although you, O Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty! Do not journey to Gilgal! Do not go up to Beth Aven! Do not swear, "As surely as the LORD lives!"

4:16  Israel has rebelled like a stubborn heifer! Soon the LORD will put them out to pasture like a lamb in a broad field!

4:17  Ephraim has attached himself to idols; Do not go near him!

4:18  They consume their alcohol, then engage in cult prostitution; they dearly love their shameful behavior.

4:19  A whirlwind has wrapped them in its wings; they will be brought to shame because of their idolatrous worship.