Hosea 4:1-13 ▼

1 Hear the word of the LORD {YHWH}, O children of Israel (he wrestles with God), for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God {Elohim} in the land!

2 Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.

3 Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear.

4 But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest (for My case is against you, O priests).

5 You will stumble by day, and the prophet will stumble with you by night; so I will destroy your mother—

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God {Eloheka}, I will also forget your children.

7 The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory (they exchanged their glorious God) for a thing of disgrace.

8 They feed on the sins (the sin offerings) of My people and set their hearts on iniquity.

9 And it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.

10 They will eat but not be satisfied; they will be promiscuous but not multiply. For they have abandoned the LORD {YHWH} to give themselves

11 to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding.

12 My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit {ruach} of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God {Elohehem}.

13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your⁺ daughters turn to prostitution and your⁺ daughters-in-law to adultery.