Hosea 4:6–19

6 gMy people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Because you have rejected knowledge,

I also will reject you from being priest for Me;

hBecause you have forgotten the law of your God,

I also will forget your children.

7 “The more they increased,

The more they sinned against Me;

iI 3will change 4their glory into shame.

8 They eat up the sin of My people;

They set their 5heart on their iniquity.

9 And it shall be: jlike people, like priest.

So I will punish them for their ways,

And 6reward them for their deeds.

10 For kthey shall eat, but not have enough;

They shall commit harlotry, but not increase;

Because they have ceased obeying the Lord.

The Idolatry of Israel

11 “Harlotry, wine, and new wine lenslave the heart.

12 My people ask counsel from their mwooden idols,

And their 7staff informs them.

For nthe spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray,

And they have played the harlot against their God.

13 oThey offer sacrifices on the mountaintops,

And burn incense on the hills,

Under oaks, poplars, and terebinths,

Because their shade is good.

pTherefore your daughters commit harlotry,

And your brides commit adultery.

14 “I will not punish your daughters when they commit harlotry,

Nor your brides when they commit adultery;

For the men themselves go apart with harlots,

And offer sacrifices with a qritual harlot.

Therefore people who do not understand will be trampled.

15 “Though you, Israel, play the harlot,

Let not Judah offend.

rDo not come up to Gilgal,

Nor go up to sBeth 8Aven,

tNor swear an oath, saying, ‘As the Lord lives’—

16 “For Israel uis stubborn

Like a stubborn calf;

Now the Lord will let them forage

Like a lamb in 9open country.

17 “Ephraim is joined to idols,

vLet him alone.

18 Their drink 1is rebellion,

They commit harlotry continually.

wHer 2rulers 3dearly love dishonor.

19 xThe wind has wrapped her up in its wings,

And ythey shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.