“1 Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath
a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because [there is] no
truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. 2 By swearing, and
lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break
out, and blood toucheth blood. 3 Therefore shall the land mourn, and
every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the
field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also
shall be taken away. 4 Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for
thy people [are] as they that strive with the priest. 5 Therefore shalt
thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the
night, and I will destroy thy mother.”
“6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast
rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no
priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also
forget thy children. 7 As they were increased, so they sinned against
me: [therefore] will I change their glory into shame. 8 They eat up the
sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity. 9 And
there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for
their ways, and reward them their doings. 10 For they shall eat, and not
have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because
they have left off to take heed to the LORD. 11 Whoredom and wine and
new wine take away the heart.”
“12 My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth
unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused [them] to err, and
they have gone a whoring from under their God. 13 They sacrifice upon
the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks
and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof [is] good: therefore
your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit
adultery. 14 I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom,
nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated
with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people
[that] doth not understand shall fall. 15 Though thou, Israel, play the
harlot, [yet] let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither
go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth. 16 For Israel slideth
back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a
large place. 17 Ephraim [is] joined to idols: let him alone. 18 Their
drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers
[with] shame do love, Give ye. 19 The wind hath bound her up in her
wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.” (Hosea
4:1-19 AV)