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10 They will eat but never be satisfied;
    they will engage in prostitution but never have children,
because they have abandoned the Lord
11     to devote themselves to immorality.

Idolatry and Debauchery

Wine, both old and new,
    deprives my people of understanding.
12 They consult a piece of wood for advice,
    and their divining rod[a] provides the answers they seek.
For a spirit of promiscuity has led them astray,
    and their immorality causes them to forsake their God.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 4:12 Piece of wood . . . divining rod: i.e., an idol used to foretell the future.

10 “They will eat but not have enough;(A)
    they will engage in prostitution(B) but not flourish,
because they have deserted(C) the Lord
    to give themselves 11 to prostitution;(D)
old wine(E) and new wine
    take away their understanding.(F)
12 My people consult a wooden idol,(G)
    and a diviner’s rod speaks to them.(H)
A spirit of prostitution(I) leads them astray;(J)
    they are unfaithful(K) to their God.

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