There is only cursing,[a] lying(A) and murder,(B)
    stealing(C) and adultery;(D)
they break all bounds,
    and bloodshed follows bloodshed.(E)
Because of this the land dries up,(F)
    and all who live in it waste away;(G)
the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky
    and the fish in the sea are swept away.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 4:2 That is, to pronounce a curse on

By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

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You stumble(A) day and night,
    and the prophets stumble with you.
So I will destroy your mother(B)

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Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.

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The more priests there were,
    the more they sinned against me;
    they exchanged their glorious God[a](A) for something disgraceful.(B)
They feed on the sins of my people
    and relish their wickedness.(C)
And it will be: Like people, like priests.(D)
    I will punish both of them for their ways
    and repay them for their deeds.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 4:7 Syriac (see also an ancient Hebrew scribal tradition); Masoretic Text me; / I will exchange their glory

As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.

And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.

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