Hosea 4:12-19 - God's Case Against The People

¹² My people consult their wooden idols,
and their divining rods inform them.
For a spirit of promiscuity leads them astray;
they act promiscuously
in disobedience to their God.
¹³ They sacrifice on the mountaintops,
and they burn offerings on the hills,
and under oaks, poplars, and terebinths,
because their shade is pleasant.
And so your daughters act promiscuously
and your daughters-in-law commit adultery.
¹⁴ I will not punish your daughters
when they act promiscuously
or your daughters-in-law
when they commit adultery,
for the men themselves go off with prostitutes
and make sacrifices with cult prostitutes.
People without discernment are doomed.

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!
¹⁸ When their drinking is over,
they turn to promiscuity.
Israel’s leaders fervently love disgrace.
¹⁹ A wind with its wings will carry them off,
and they will be ashamed of their sacrifices.

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