Hosea 4:14-16

International Children’s Bible

¹⁴ “But I will not punish your daughters
    when they become prostitutes.
I will not punish your daughters-in-law
    for their sins of adultery.
I will not punish them
    because you yourselves have sinned sexually with prostitutes.
You offer sacrifices with the temple prostitutes.
    You foolish people are destroying yourselves.

¹⁵ “Israel, you act like a prostitute.
    But don’t let Judah be guilty.
Don’t go to sacrifice at Gilgal.
    Don’t go up to give offerings at Beth Aven.^[a]
Don’t use the Lord’s name to make promises.
    Don’t say, ‘As surely as the Lord lives . . .’
¹⁶ The people of Israel are stubborn
    like a stubborn young cow.
How then can the Lord feed them
    like lambs in a meadow?