Hosea 4

1Hear the word of Yahweh, sons of Israel, for Yahweh has a dispute with the land's inhabitants, because there is no truth, no kindness, no knowledge of God in the land.

2Cursing, lying, killing, stealing, and adultery—they break out, bloodshed touching bloodshed.

3Therefore the land will mourn, and all who dwell in her will languish, together with the field’s creatures and the birds of the sky; even the fish of the sea will be swept away.

4Yet let no man contend, nor let any man rebuke another; your people are like those who contend against the priest.

5You will stumble by day, and the prophet also will stumble with you by night; I will destroy your mother.

6My people are destroyed without knowledge, because you rejected knowledge—I will reject you so you will no longer be my priest; because you forgot the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

7The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against me; I will turn their glory to shame.

8They devour the sin of my people and lift their souls to their iniquity.

9It will be as for the people, so for the priest; I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.

10They will eat but not be satisfied; they will commit fornication but not multiply, because they have forsaken Yahweh and stopped heeding him.

11Whoredom, wine, and new wine seize the heart.

12My people inquire of their wood, and their staff declares to them; for a spirit of harlotry has misled them, and they have whored from under their gods.

13They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops and burn incense on the hills under oaks, poplars, and terebinths, because their shade is pleasant; therefore your daughters turn to prostitution, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery.

14I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your brides when they commit adultery, for men consort with prostitutes and sacrifice alongside shrine prostitutes, and a people without understanding will fall.

15Though you prostitute yourself, Israel, let Judah not be guilty; do not come to Gilgal, neither go up to Beth-aven, nor swear, "As Yahweh lives."

16For Israel rebels like a rebellious heifer; now Yahweh will pasture them like a lamb in a broad field.

17Ephraim allies with idols; let him alone.

18Their drink has soured. They prostitute continually. Her defenders love disgrace—you love it!

19The wind has bound her in its wings, and they will be put to shame because of their sacrifices.