Hosea 4:11-19

New King James Version

The Idolatry of Israel

¹¹“Harlotry, wine, and new wine ^(A)enslave the heart.
¹²My people ask counsel from their ^(B)wooden idols,
And their ^[a]staff informs them.
For ^(C)the spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray,
And they have played the harlot against their God.
¹³^(D)They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops,
And burn incense on the hills,
Under oaks, poplars, and terebinths,
Because their shade is good.
^(E)Therefore your daughters commit harlotry,
And your brides commit adultery.

¹⁴“I will not punish your daughters when they commit harlotry,
Nor your brides when they commit adultery;
For the men themselves go apart with harlots,
And offer sacrifices with a ^(F)ritual harlot.
Therefore people who do not understand will be trampled.

¹⁵“Though you, Israel, play the harlot,
Let not Judah offend.
^(G)Do not come up to Gilgal,
Nor go up to ^(H)Beth^[b] Aven,
^(I)Nor swear an oath, saying, ‘As the Lord lives’—

¹⁶“For Israel ^(J)is stubborn
Like a stubborn calf;
Now the Lord will let them forage
Like a lamb in ^[c]open country.

¹⁷“Ephraim is joined to idols,
^(K)Let him alone.
¹⁸Their drink ^[d]is rebellion,
They commit harlotry continually.
^(L)Her ^[e]rulers ^[f]dearly love dishonor.
¹⁹^(M)The wind has wrapped her up in its wings,
And ^(N)they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.