Hosea

¹ Listen to the word of Yahweh, O sons of Israel, For Yahweh has a contention against the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no truth or lovingkindness Or knowledge of God in the land.

² They break forth in violence so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.

³ And everyone who inhabits it languishes Along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky, And also the fish of the sea disappear.

⁴ Indeed, your people are like those who contend with the priest.

⁵ And the prophet also will stumble with you by night; And I will destroy your mother.

⁶ Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from ministering as My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I Myself also will forget your children.

⁷ I will change their glory into disgrace.

⁸ And lift up their soul toward their iniquity.

⁹ So I will punish them for their ways And cause their deeds to return to them.

¹⁰ They will play the harlot, but not break forth in number, Because they have forsaken Yahweh to keep harlotry.

¹² For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray, And they have played the harlot, departing from their God.

¹³ And burn incense on the hills, Under oak, poplar, and terebinth Because their shade is good. Therefore your daughters play the harlot, And your brides commit adultery.

¹⁴ Or your brides when they commit adultery, For the men themselves go apart with harlots And offer sacrifices with cult prostitutes; So the people without understanding are ruined.

¹⁵ Do not let Judah become guilty; Also do not go to Gilgal Nor go up to Beth‑aven And swear the oath: “As Yahweh lives!”

¹⁶ Like a stubborn heifer, Can Yahweh now feed them Like a lamb in a large field?

¹⁷ Let him alone.

¹⁸ They play the harlot continually; Their rulers dearly love disgrace.

¹⁹ And they will be ashamed because of their sacrifices.