Hosea 4

The Lord Is Angry Against Israel

4 <1> People of Israel, listen to the Lord's message. The Lord will tell his argument against those who live in this country. "The people in this country don't really know God. They are not true and loyal to him. <2> They swear, lie, kill, and steal. They commit the sin of adultery[28] and have their babies. They murder one person after another[29] <3> So the country is like someone crying for the dead, and all of its people are weak. Even the animals of the field, the birds of the sky, and the fish in the sea are dying.[30] <4> No one should argue or blame another pers on. Priest, my argument is with you![31] <5> You (priests) will fall in the daytime. And at night the prophet will also fall with you. I will also destroy your mother.

<6> "My people are destroyed because they have no knowledge. You have refused to learn, so I will refuse to let you be a priest for me. You have forgotten the law of your God, so I will forget your children. <7> They became proud. They sinned more and more against me, so I will change their honor to shame."

<8> The priests fed on the people's sins. They wanted more and more of their sin offerings.[32] <9> So the priests are no different from the people. I will punish them for the things they did. I will pay them back for the wrong things they did. <10> They will eat, but they will not be satisfied. They will commit sexual sins, but they will not have babies.[33] This is because they left the Lord and became like prostitutes.

<11> "Sexual sins, strong drink, and new wine ruin a person's ability to think straight. <12> My people are asking pieces of wood for advice. They think those sticks will answer them, because they have chased after those false gods like prostitutes. They left their God and became like prostitutes. <13> They make sacrifices on the tops of the mountains and burn incense[34] on the hills under oak trees, poplar trees, and elm trees.[35] The shade under those trees looks nice. So your daughters lie under those trees like prostitutes, and your daughters-in-law commit sexual sins.

<14> "I cannot blame[36] your daughters for being prostitutes or your daughters-in-law for committing sexual sins, because the men go and have sex with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with the temple prostitutes.[37] So these fools are destroying themselves.

The Shameful Sins of Israel

<15> "Israel, just because you act like a prostitute doesn't mean that Judah should feel guilty too. People, don't go to Gilgal[38] or Beth-aven.[39] Don't use the Lord's name to make promises. Don't say, 'As the Lord lives .!' <16> The Lord has given many things to Israel. He is like a shepherd who takes his sheep to a large field with plenty of grass. But Israel is stubborn like a young cow that runs away again and again.

<17> "Ephraim[40] has joined his idols,[41] so leave him alone. <18> Ephraim has joined their drunkenness. Let them continue to be prostitutes. Let them be with their lovers.[42] <19> They went to those gods for safety, and they have lost their ability to think.[43] Their altars will bring them shame.