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)
16 The Israelites are stubborn,(D)
    like a stubborn heifer.(E)
How then can the Lord pasture them
    like lambs(F) in a meadow?
17 Ephraim is joined to idols;
    leave him alone!

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 4:15 Beth Aven means house of wickedness (a derogatory name for Bethel, which means house of God).

Warnings for Israel and Judah

15 Israel, if you act promiscuously,
don’t let Judah become guilty!
Do not go to Gilgal(A)
or make a pilgrimage to Beth-aven,[a](B)
and do not swear an oath: As the Lord lives!(C)
16 For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn cow.(D)
Can the Lord now shepherd them
like a lamb in an open meadow?(E)
17 Ephraim is attached to idols;(F)
leave him alone!(G)

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 4:15 = House of Wickedness