Hosea 4:1-9 ▼

1 Listen to the word of the LORD, you Israelites. The LORD has brought these charges against those who live in the land: |There is no faith, no love, and no knowledge of God in the land.

2 There is cursing, lying, murdering, stealing, and adultery. People break [my laws], and there is one murder after another.

3 That is why the land is drying up, and everyone who lives in it is passing away. Wild animals, birds, and fish are dying.

4 |No one should accuse other people or bring charges against them. My case is against you priests.

5 During the day you stumble, and during the night the prophets stumble with you. So I will destroy your mother, [the nation of Israel].

6 I will destroy my people because they are ignorant. You have refused to learn, so I will refuse to let you be my priests. You have forgotten the teachings of your God, so I will forget your children.

7 The more priests there are, the more they sin against me. So I will turn their glory into shame.

8 They feed on the sins of my people, and they want them to do wicked things.

9 So the priests will be punished like the people. I will punish them for their wicked ways and pay them back for what they have done.