Hosea 4
1Hear the word of Yahweh, you people of Israel. 1 Yahweh has a lawsuit against the inhabitants of the land, 1 because there is no truthfulness or covenantal faithfulness, no knowledge of God in the land. 1
2There is cursing, lying, killing, stealing and adultery. 1 The people have broken all bounds, and bloodshed comes after bloodshed. 1
3So the land is drying up, 1 and everyone living in it is wasting away; 1 the beasts in the fields and the birds in the sky, 1 even the fish in the sea, are being taken away.
4But do not allow anyone to bring a lawsuit; 1 do not let anyone accuse anyone else. 1 For it is you, the priests, whom I am accusing. 1
5You priests will stumble during the day; 1 the prophets will also stumble with you by night, 1 and I will destroy your mother. 1
6My people are being destroyed because of the lack of knowledge. 1 Because you priests have rejected knowledge, 1 I will also reject you as priests to me. 1 Because you have forgotten my law, although I am your God, 1 I also will forget your children. 1
7The more the priests multiplied, 1 the more they sinned against me. 1 They exchanged their honor for shame. 1
8They feed on the sin of my people; 1 they are greedy for more of their wickedness. 1
9It will be the same for the people as for the priests: 1 I will punish them all for their practices; 1 I will repay them for their deeds. 1
10They will eat but not have enough; 1 they will commit prostitution but not increase, 1 because they have gone far away from Yahweh. 1
11They love sexual promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which have taken away their understanding. 1
12My people consult their wooden idols, 1 and their walking sticks give them prophecies. 1 For a mind of promiscuity has misled them, 1 and they have acted as prostitutes instead of being faithful to their God. 1
13They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains 1 and burn incense on the hills, 1 under oaks, poplars and terebinths, 1 because the shade is good. 1 So your daughters commit sexual immorality, 1 and your daughters-in-law commit adultery. 1
14I will not punish your daughters when they choose to commit sexual immorality, 1 nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. 1 For the men also give themselves to the prostitutes, 1 and they offer sacrifices so they can commit immoral acts with sacred prostitutes. 1 So this people who does not understand will be thrown down. 1
15Though you, Israel, have committed adultery, 1 may Judah not become guilty. 1 Do not go to Gilgal, you people; 1 do not go up to Beth Aven, 1 and do not swear, saying, “As Yahweh lives.” 1
16For Israel has behaved stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. 1 How can Yahweh bring them to pasture like lambs in a meadow? 1
17Ephraim united himself with idols; 1 leave him alone. 1
18Even when their strong drink is gone, 1 they continue to commit adultery; 1 her rulers dearly love their shame. 1
19The wind will wrap her up in its wings; 1 and they will be ashamed because of their sacrifices.