Hosea 4:15–17

15 “Though you, Israel, commit adultery,

do not let Judah become guilty.

“Do not go to Gilgal;

do not go up to Beth Aven.

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

16 The Israelites are stubborn,

like a stubborn heifer.

How then can the Lord pasture them

like lambs in a meadow?

17 Ephraim is joined to idols;

leave him alone!

15 Though thou, Israel, play the harlot,

Yet let not Judah offend;

And come not ye unto Gilgal,

Neither go ye up to Beth-aven,

Nor swear, The Lord liveth.

16 For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer:

Now the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a large place.

17 Ephraim is joined to idols:

Let him alone.

15 “Though you, Israel, are a prostitute,

may Judah not be guilty of such things.

Do not join the false worship at Gilgal or Beth-aven,

and do not take oaths there in the Lord’s name.

16 Israel is stubborn,

like a stubborn heifer.

So should the Lord feed her

like a lamb in a lush pasture?

17 Leave Israel alone,

because she is married to idolatry.

15 “Though you, Israel, play the harlot,

Let not Judah offend.

Do not come up to Gilgal,

Nor go up to Beth Aven,

Nor swear an oath, saying, ‘As the Lord lives’—

16 “For Israel is stubborn

Like a stubborn calf;

Now the Lord will let them forage

Like a lamb in open country.

17 “Ephraim is joined to idols,

Let him alone.

15 “Israel, you act like a prostitute,

but do not be guilty toward the Lord.

Don’t go to Gilgal

or go up to Beth Aven.

Don’t make promises,

saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives …’

16 The people of Israel are stubborn

like a stubborn young cow.

Now the Lord will feed them

like lambs in the open country.

17 The Israelites have chosen to worship idols,

so leave them alone.

15 Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Beth-aven, nor swear, As Jehovah liveth. 16 For Israel hath behaved himself stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer: now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a large place. 17 Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone.

15 Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, let not Judah trespass; and come ye not unto Gilgal, neither go up to Beth-aven, nor swear As Jehovah liveth! 16 For Israel is refractory as an untractable heifer; now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a wide pasture. 17 —Ephraim is joined to idols: leave him alone.

15 “Israel, you act like a prostitute. 

Don’t let Judah become guilty too. 

Don’t go to Gilgal. 

Don’t go to Beth Aven. 

Don’t take the oath, ‘As the Lord lives …’ 

16 “The people of Israel are as stubborn as a bull. 

How can the Lord feed them like lambs in an open pasture? 

17 The people of Ephraim have chosen to worship idols. Leave them alone! 

15 Israel, if you act promiscuously,

don’t let Judah become guilty!

Do not go to Gilgal

or make a pilgrimage to Beth-aven,

and do not swear an oath: As the Lord lives!

16 For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn cow.

Can the Lord now shepherd them

like a lamb in an open meadow?

17 Ephraim is attached to idols;

leave him alone!

15 Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel,

do not let Judah become guilty.

Do not enter into Gilgal

or go up to Beth-aven,

and do not swear, “As the Lord lives.”

16 Like a stubborn heifer,

Israel is stubborn;

can the Lord now feed them

like a lamb in a broad pasture?

17 Ephraim is joined to idols—

let him alone.

15 Even though you, O Israel, are playing the whore,

do not let Judah become guilty;

do not enter Gilgal,

or go up to Beth-aven;

and do not swear,

“As Yahweh lives!”

16 Indeed, like a stubborn heifer,

Israel is stubborn;

Now Yahweh will feed them,

like a lamb in broad pasture.

17 Ephraim is joined to idols;

let him alone.

15 “Israel, you are not faithful to me.

But I do not want Judah to become guilty too.

“My people, do not go to Gilgal to offer sacrifices.

Do not go up to Bethel to worship other gods.

Do not take an oath and say,

‘You can be sure that the Lord is alive.’

16 The people of Israel are stubborn.

They are as stubborn as a young cow.

So how can I take care of them

like lambs in a meadow?

17 The people of Ephraim have joined themselves to other gods.

And nothing can be done to help them.

15 Though 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!”

16 Since Israel is stubborn

Like a stubborn heifer,

Can the Lord now pasture them

Like a lamb in a large field?

17 Ephraim is joined to idols;

Let him alone.