God’s Controversy with Israel

1Listen to the word of the LORD, O sons of Israel,
         For the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land,
         Because there is no faithfulness or kindness
         Or knowledge of God in the land.

2There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery.
         They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.

3Therefore the land mourns,
         And everyone who lives in it languishes
         Along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky,
         And also the fish of the sea disappear.

4Yet let no one find fault, and let none offer reproof;
         For your people are like those who contend with the priest.

5So you will stumble by day,
         And the prophet also will stumble with you by night;
         And I will destroy your mother.

6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
         Because you have rejected knowledge,
         I also will reject you from being My priest.
         Since you have forgotten the law of your God,
         I also will forget your children.

7The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me;
         I will change their glory into shame.

8They feed on the sin of My people
         And direct their desire toward their iniquity.

9And it will be, like people, like priest;
         So I will punish them for their ways
         And repay them for their deeds.

10They will eat, but not have enough;
         They will play the harlot, but not increase,
         Because they have stopped giving heed to the LORD.

11Harlotry, wine and new wine take away the understanding.

12My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner’s wand informs them;
         For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray,
         And they have played the harlot, departing from their God.

13They offer sacrifices on the tops of the mountains
         And burn incense on the hills,
         Under oak, poplar and terebinth,
         Because their shade is pleasant.
         Therefore your daughters play the harlot
         And your brides commit adultery.

14I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot
         Or your brides when they commit adultery,
         For the men themselves go apart with harlots
         And offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes;
         So the people without understanding are ruined.

15Though you, Israel, play the harlot,
         Do not let Judah become guilty;
         Also do not go to Gilgal,
         Or go up to Beth-aven
         And take the oath:
         “As the LORD lives!”

16Since Israel is stubborn
         Like a stubborn heifer,
         Can the LORD now pasture them
         Like a lamb in a large field?

17Ephraim is joined to idols;
         Let him alone.

18Their liquor gone,
         They play the harlot continually;
         Their rulers dearly love shame.

19The wind wraps them in its wings,
         And they will be ashamed because of their sacrifices.

NASB ©1995

American Standard Version
Hear the word of Jehovah, ye children of Israel; for Jehovah hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel, for the Lord shall enter into judgment with the inhabitants of the land: for there is no truth, and there is no mercy, and there is no knowledge of God in the land.

Darby Bible Translation
Hear the word of Jehovah, ye children of Israel; for Jehovah hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land; for there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land.

English Revised Version
Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

Webster's Bible Translation
Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

World English Bible
Hear the word of Yahweh, 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.

Young's Literal Translation
Hear a word of Jehovah, sons of Israel, For a strife is to Jehovah with inhabitants of the land, For there is no truth, nor kindness, Nor knowledge of God, in the land, 'Let Him Alone'
'Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.'--HOSEA iv. 17. The tribe of Ephraim was the most important member of the kingdom of Israel; consequently its name was not unnaturally sometimes used in a wider application for the whole of the kingdom, of which it was the principal part. Being the 'predominant partner,' its name was used alone for that of the whole firm, just as in our own empire, we often say 'England,' meaning thereby the three kingdoms: England, Scotland, and Ireland. So 'Ephraim' here …
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