Add parallel Print Page Options

10 They shall eat, but not be satisfied;
    they shall play the harlot, but not multiply;
because they have forsaken the Lord
    to cherish harlotry.

The Idolatry of Israel

11 Wine and new wine
    take away the understanding.
12 My people inquire of a thing of wood,
    and their staff gives them oracles.
For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray,
    and they have left their God to play the harlot.
13 They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains,
    and make offerings upon the hills,
under oak, poplar, and terebinth,
    because their shade is good.

Therefore your daughters play the harlot,
    and your brides commit adultery.
14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot,
    nor your brides when they commit adultery;
for the men themselves go aside with harlots,
    and sacrifice with cult prostitutes,
and a people without understanding shall come to ruin.

Read full chapter

10 And they shall eat, and not have enough; they shall play the harlot, and shall not increase; because they have left off taking heed to Jehovah.

11 Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the [a]understanding. 12 My people ask counsel at their stock, and their staff declareth unto them; for the spirit of whoredom hath caused them to err, and they have played the harlot, departing from under their God. 13 They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinths, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters play the harlot, and your brides commit adultery. 14 I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot, nor your [b]brides when they commit adultery; for the men themselves go apart with harlots, and they sacrifice with the prostitutes; and the people that doth not understand shall be overthrown.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 4:11 Hebrew heart.
  2. Hosea 4:14 Or, daughters-in-law