Old Testament

New Testament

Hosea 4:3-13 English Standard Version (ESV)

3. Therefore the land mourns,and all who dwell in it languish, and also the beasts of the fieldand the birds of the heavens, and even the fish of the sea are taken away.

4. Yet let no one contend,and let none accuse,for with you is my contention, O priest.

5. You shall stumble by day;the prophet also shall stumble with you by night;and I will destroy your mother.

6. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge,I reject you from being a priest to me.And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

7. The more they increased,the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame.

8. They feed on the sin of my people;they are greedy for their iniquity.

9. And it shall be like people, like priest;I will punish them for their waysand repay them for their deeds.

10. They shall eat, but not be satisfied;they shall play the whore, but not multiply,because they have forsaken the Lordto cherish

11. whoredom, wine, and new wine,which take away the understanding.

12. My people inquire of a piece of wood,and their walking staff gives them oracles.For a spirit of whoredom has led them astray,and they have left their God to play the whore.

13. They sacrifice on the tops of the mountainsand burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth,because their shade is good.Therefore your daughters play the whore,and your brides commit adultery.

Read complete chapter Hosea 4