Hosea 4:15-5:7

New International Version

¹⁵“Though you, Israel, commit adultery,
do not let Judah become guilty.

“Do not go to Gilgal;^(A)
    do not go up to Beth Aven.^[a]^(B)
    And do not swear, ‘As surely as the Lord lives!’^(C)
¹⁶The Israelites are stubborn,^(D)
    like a stubborn heifer.^(E)
How then can the Lord pasture them
    like lambs^(F) in a meadow?
¹⁷Ephraim is joined to idols;
    leave him alone!
¹⁸Even when their drinks are gone,
    they continue their prostitution;
    their rulers dearly love shameful ways.
¹⁹A whirlwind^(G) will sweep them away,
    and their sacrifices will bring them shame.^(H)

Judgment Against Israel

5 “Hear this, you priests!
    Pay attention, you Israelites!
Listen, royal house!
    This judgment^(I) is against you:
You have been a snare^(J) at Mizpah,
    a net^(K) spread out on Tabor.
²The rebels are knee-deep in slaughter.^(L)
    I will discipline all of them.^(M)
³I know all about Ephraim;
    Israel is not hidden^(N) from me.
Ephraim, you have now turned to prostitution;
    Israel is corrupt.^(O)

⁴“Their deeds do not permit them
    to return^(P) to their God.
A spirit of prostitution^(Q) is in their heart;
    they do not acknowledge^(R) the Lord.
⁵Israel’s arrogance testifies^(S) against them;
    the Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble^(T) in their sin;
    Judah also stumbles with them.^(U)
⁶When they go with their flocks and herds
    to seek the Lord,^(V)
they will not find him;
    he has withdrawn^(W) himself from them.
⁷They are unfaithful^(X) to the Lord;
    they give birth to illegitimate^(Y) children.
When they celebrate their New Moon feasts,^(Z)
    he will devour^[b]^(AA) their fields.

Footnotes

Hosea 4:15 Beth Aven means house of wickedness (a derogatory name for Bethel, which means house of God).
Hosea 5:7 Or Now their New Moon feasts / will devour them and