Hosea 4:11-19

Common English Bible

    Wine and new wine
        destroy understanding.
¹² My people take advice from a piece of wood,
    and their divining rod gives them predictions.
        A spirit of prostitution has led them astray;
        they have left God to follow other gods.
¹³ They offer sacrifices on mountaintops,
        and make entirely burned offerings on hills;
    they offer sacrifices under various green trees,
        because their shade is pleasant.
    Therefore, your daughters act like prostitutes,
        and your daughters-in-law commit adultery.
¹⁴ I will not punish your daughters because they act like prostitutes,
        nor your daughters-in-law because they commit adultery;
    for the men themselves visit prostitutes,
        and offer sacrifices with consecrated workers at temples;
    so now the people without sense must come to ruin.
¹⁵ Israel, even though you act like a prostitute,
        don’t let Judah become guilty.
    Don’t enter into Gilgal,
        or go up to Beth-aven,
        and don’t swear, “As the Lord lives.”
¹⁶ Like a stubborn cow Israel is stubborn.
Now the Lord will tend them,^[a]
        as the Lord tends a lamb in a pasture.
¹⁷ Ephraim is associated with idols—
        let him alone!
¹⁸ Though they have stopped drinking,
        they continue to behave like prostitutes;
        indeed, they “love”; shame is their pride.
¹⁹ The wind has wrapped her in its wings;
        they will be ashamed of their sacrifices.