Hosea 4:12–19

¹²My people consult their wooden idols,

and their divining rods inform them.

For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray

and they have played the harlot against their God.

¹³They sacrifice on the mountaintops

and burn offerings on the hills,

under oak, poplar, and terebinth,

because their shade is pleasant.

And so your daughters turn to prostitution

and your daughters-in-law to adultery.

¹⁴I will not punish your daughters

when they prostitute themselves,

nor your daughters-in-law

when they commit adultery.

For the men themselves go off with prostitutes

and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes.

So a people without understanding

will come to ruin.

¹⁵Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel,

may Judah avoid such guilt!

Do not journey to Gilgal,

do not go up to Beth-aven,^d

and do not swear on oath,

‘As surely as the LORD lives!’

¹⁶For Israel is as obstinate

as a stubborn heifer.

Can the LORD now shepherd them

like lambs in an open meadow?

¹⁷Ephraim^e is joined to idols;

leave him alone!

¹⁸When their liquor is gone,

they turn to prostitution;

their rulers^f dearly love disgrace.

¹⁹The whirlwind has wrapped them^g in its wings,

and their sacrifices will bring them shame.’’