Hosea 4 :: New English Translation (NET)

God's Controversy with Israel

Hos 4:1Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites! For the LORD has a covenant lawsuit against the people of Israel. For there is neither faithfulness nor loyalty in the land, nor do they acknowledge God.

Hos 4:2

Hos 4:2There is only cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery. They resort to violence and bloodshed.

Hos 4:3

Hos 4:3Therefore the land will mourn, and all its inhabitants will perish. The wild animals, the birds of the sky, and even the fish in the sea will perish.

Hos 4:4

Hos 4:4Do not let anyone accuse or contend against anyone else: for my case is against you priests!

Hos 4:5

Hos 4:5You stumble day and night, and the false prophets stumble with you; You have destroyed your own people!

Hos 4:6

Hos 4:6You have destroyed my people by failing to acknowledge me! Because you refuse to acknowledge me, I will reject you as my priests. Because you reject the law of your God, I will reject your descendants.

Hos 4:7

Hos 4:7The more the priests increased in numbers, the more they rebelled against me. They have turned their glorious calling into a shameful disgrace!

Hos 4:8

Hos 4:8They feed on the sin offerings of my people; their appetites long for their iniquity!

Hos 4:9

Hos 4:9I will deal with the people and priests together: I will punish them both for their ways, and I will repay them for their deeds.

Hos 4:10

Hos 4:10They will eat, but not be satisfied; they will engage in prostitution, but not increase in numbers; because they have abandoned the LORD by pursuing other gods.

Hos 4:11

Hos 4:11Old and new wine take away the understanding of my people.

Hos 4:12

Hos 4:12They consult their wooden idols, and their diviner's staff answers with an oracle. The wind of prostitution blows them astray; they commit spiritual adultery against their God.

Hos 4:13

Hos 4:13They sacrifice on the mountaintops, and burn offerings on the hills; they sacrifice under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is so pleasant. As a result, your daughters have become cult prostitutes, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery!

Hos 4:14

Hos 4:14I will not punish your daughters when they commit prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men consort with harlots, they sacrifice with temple prostitutes. It is true: "A people that lacks understanding will come to ruin!"

Hos 4:15

Hos 4:15Although you, O Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty! Do not journey to Gilgal! Do not go up to Beth Aven! Do not swear, "As surely as the LORD lives!"

Hos 4:16

Hos 4:16Israel has rebelled like a stubborn heifer! Soon the LORD will put them out to pasture like a lamb in a broad field!

Hos 4:17

Hos 4:17Ephraim has attached himself to idols; Do not go near him!

Hos 4:18

Hos 4:18They consume their alcohol, then engage in cult prostitution; they dearly love their shameful behavior.

Hos 4:19

Hos 4:19A whirlwind has wrapped them in its wings; they will be brought to shame because of their idolatrous worship.

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Hosea 4 :: New English Translation (NET)

God's Controversy with Israel

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