The Book of the Prophet Hosea 4 Israel and Judah are threatened with punishment because of their wickedness: the ignorance and malice of the people

 The Book of the Prophet Hosea 4

Israel and Judah are threatened with punishment because of their wickedness: the ignorance and malice of the people

1 Hear the word of the Lord, you children of Israel, for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

2 Only perjury, and lying, and murder, and theft, and adultery prevail, and there are murders upon murders.

3 Therefore the land will mourn, and everyone who dwells in it will languish, along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea will be taken away.

4 Yet let no one contend, let no one rebuke; for your people are like those who contend with the priest.

5 Therefore you will fall by day, and the prophet with you will fall by night, and I will destroy your mother.

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; Because you have rejected knowledge, I also have rejected you from being a priest before me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

7 As they multiplied, so they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame.

8 They feed on the sin of my people, and they crave their wickedness.

9 Therefore, as the people are, so shall the priest be; and I will visit upon him his ways, and I will repay him for his deeds.

10 They shall eat, but not be satisfied; they shall indulge in lust, but not multiply; because they have ceased to look to the Lord.

11 Incontinence, and wine, and new wine take away understanding.

12 My people consult their wooden idol, and their staff answers them, for the spirit of lust leads them astray, and they corrupt themselves, departing from the subjection of their God.

13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn incense on the hills, under the oak, the poplar, and the elm, because their shade is pleasant; therefore your daughters prostitute themselves, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery.

14 I will not punish your daughters who prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery; for they themselves go astray with prostitutes and sacrifice with harlots. Therefore, a people without understanding will be overthrown.

15 If you, Israel, want to corrupt yourselves, do not let Judah become guilty; do not go to Gilgal, nor go up to Beth-Aven, nor swear, saying, “As the Lord lives!”

16 For Israel has rebelled like a stubborn heifer; now the Lord will shepherd them like a lamb in a spacious place.

17 Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone.

18 Their drink is gone; they are becoming more and more corrupt; surely their princes love shame.

19 A wind has enveloped them in its wings, and they will be ashamed because of their sacrifices.