Hosea 4:1-9 ▼

1 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.

2 Swearing and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery! They break all bounds, and blood toucheth blood.

3 Therefore doth the land mourn, And every one that dwelleth therein doth languish, With the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven; Yea, the fishes of the sea also are taken away.

4 Yet let no man strive, neither let any man reprove; For thy people are as they that strive with the priest.

5 Therefore shalt thou stumble in the day, And the prophet also shall stumble with thee in the night; And I will destroy thy mother.

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to Me; Seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children.

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

8 They feed on the sin of My people, And set their heart on their iniquity.

9 And it is like people, like priest; And I will punish him for his ways, And will recompense him his doings.