Hosea 4

<< Hosea 4 >>
New International Version 1984
 

9And it will be: Like people, like priests.

I will punish both of them for their ways

and repay them for their deeds.

10“They will eat but not have enough;

they will engage in prostitution but not increase,

because they have deserted the Lord

to give themselves 11to prostitution,

to old wine and new,

which take away the understanding 12of my people.

They consult a wooden idol

and are answered by a stick of wood.

A spirit of prostitution leads them astray;

they are unfaithful to their God.

13They sacrifice on the mountaintops

and burn offerings on the hills,

under oak, poplar and terebinth,

where the shade is pleasant.

Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution

and your daughters-in-law to adultery.

14“I will not punish your daughters

when they turn to prostitution,

nor your daughters-in-law

when they commit adultery,

because the men themselves consort with harlots

and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes—

a people without understanding will come to ruin!

15“Though you commit adultery, O Israel,

let not Judah become guilty.

“Do not go to Gilgal;

do not go up to Beth Aven.e

And do not swear, ‘As surely as the Lord lives!’

16The Israelites are stubborn,

like a stubborn heifer.

How then can the Lord pasture them

like lambs in a meadow?

17Ephraim is joined to idols;

leave him alone!

18Even when their drinks are gone,

they continue their prostitution;

their rulers dearly love shameful ways.

19A whirlwind will sweep them away,

and their sacrifices will bring them shame.


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