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4:1 Listen to the Lord’s message, you Israelites! For the Lord has a covenant lawsuit against the people of Israel. For there is neither faithfulness nor loyalty in the land, nor do they acknowledge God. 4:2 There is only cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery. They resort to violence and bloodshed. 4:3 Therefore the land will mourn, and all its inhabitants will perish. The wild animals, the birds of the sky, and even the fish in the sea will perish.
4:4 Do not let anyone accuse or contend against anyone else, for my case is against you priests! 4:5 You stumble day and night, and the false prophets stumble with you; you have destroyed your own people. 4:6 You have destroyed my people by failing to acknowledge me! Because you refuse to acknowledge me, I will reject you as my priests. Because you reject the law of your God, I will reject your descendants. 4:7 The more the priests increased in numbers, the more they rebelled against me. They have turned their glorious calling into a shameful disgrace! 4:8 They feed on the sin offerings of my people; their appetites long for their iniquity! 4:9 I will deal with the people and priests together: I will punish them both for their ways, and I will repay them for their deeds. 4:10 They will eat, but not be satisfied; they will engage in prostitution, but not increase in numbers because they have abandoned the Lord by pursuing other gods.
4:11 Old and new wine take away the understanding of my people. 4:12 They consult their wooden idols, and their diviner’s staff answers with an oracle. The wind of prostitution blows them astray; they commit spiritual adultery against their God. 4:13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills; they sacrifice under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is so pleasant. As a result, your daughters have become cult prostitutes, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery! 4:14 I will not punish your daughters when they commit prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men consort with harlots; they sacrifice with temple prostitutes. It is true: “A people that lacks understanding will come to ruin!”
4:15 Although you, O Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty! Do not journey to Gilgal. Do not go up to Beth Aven. Do not swear, “As surely as the Lord lives!” 4:16 Israel has rebelled like a stubborn heifer! Soon the Lord will put them out to pasture like a lamb in a broad field. 4:17 Ephraim has attached himself to idols; Do not go near him!
4:18 They consume their alcohol, then engage in cult prostitution; they dearly love their shameful behavior. 4:19 A whirlwind has wrapped them in its wings; they will be brought to shame because of their idolatrous worship.
NET Bible Second Edition. Copyright 2017 Biblical Studies Press
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