God’s Controversy with Israel

(A)Listen to the word of the Lord, you sons of Israel,
Because the Lord has a (B)case against the inhabitants of the land,
For there is (C)no [a]faithfulness, nor [b]loyalty,
Nor (D)knowledge of God in the land.
There is (E)oath-taking, (F)[c]denial, (G)murder, (H)stealing, and (I)adultery.
They employ violence, so that (J)bloodshed [d]follows bloodshed.
Therefore the land (K)mourns,
And everyone who lives in it languishes
Along with the animals of the field and the birds of the sky,
And even the fish of the sea [e]disappear.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 4:1 Or truth
  2. Hosea 4:1 Or kindness
  3. Hosea 4:2 I.e., of truth
  4. Hosea 4:2 Lit touches
  5. Hosea 4:3 Lit are taken away

God Accuses Israel

“Hear this message from the Lord, people of Israel.
    Indeed, the Lord brings a charge
    against the people who live in the land—
for there is no truth and no gracious love
    or knowledge of God in the land.
Swearing, lying, murder, theft, and adultery are rampant,
    and blood mingles with blood.
Therefore the land will mourn,
    and all who live there will languish,
along with the wild animals of the field and the birds of the air.
    Even the fish in the sea will disappear.

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