Hosea 4

1for Yahweh has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land. “Indeed there is no truth, Hear Yahweh’s word, you children of Israel; 2they break boundaries, and bloodshed causes bloodshed. There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; 3and everyone who dwells therein will waste away. even the animals of the field and the birds of the sky; yes, the fish of the sea also die. Therefore the land will mourn, all living things in her, 4“Yet let no man bring a charge, neither let any man accuse; For your people are like those who bring charges against a priest. 5and the prophet will also stumble with you in the night; and I will destroy your mother. You will stumble in the day, 6Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you may be no priest to me. I will also forget your children. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have forgotten your God’s law, 7I will change their glory into shame. As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me. 8and set their heart on their iniquity. They feed on the sin of my people, 9and I will punish them for their ways, and will repay them for their deeds. It will be, like people, like priest; 10They will play the prostitute, and will not increase; because they have abandoned giving to Yahweh. They will eat, and not have enough. 11Prostitution, wine, and new wine take away understanding. 12My people consult with their wooden idol, and answer to a stick of wood. and they have been unfaithful to their God. Indeed the spirit of prostitution has led them astray, 13and burn incense on the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinths, because its shade is good. and your brides commit adultery. They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains, Therefore your daughters play the prostitute, 14nor your brides when they commit adultery; and they sacrifice with the shrine prostitutes; so the people without understanding will come to ruin. I will not punish your daughters when they play the prostitute, because the men consort with prostitutes, 15yet don’t let Judah offend; and don’t come to Gilgal, neither go up to Beth Aven, nor swear, ‘As Yahweh lives.’ “Though you, Israel, play the prostitute, 16Then how will Yahweh feed them like a lamb in a meadow. For Israel has behaved extremely stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. 17Leave him alone! Ephraim is joined to idols. 18They play the prostitute continually. Her rulers dearly love their shameful way. Their drink has become sour. 19and they shall be disappointed because of their sacrifices. The wind has wrapped her up in its wings;