Hosea 4

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.

Listen up, people of Israel, God has a problem with us. He's upset because we've lost our way - there's no honesty, compassion, or understanding of Him in our land.

By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

Through lies, violence, theft, and infidelity, they unleash chaos, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.

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.

The earth will grieve, and all who live there will suffer, along with the animals and birds. Even the fish will disappear.

Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.

Don't argue or criticize each other, because it's like picking a fight with a priest. Your people should know better.

Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.

Thus, you will stumble in daylight, and even the prophet will falter with you in the darkness. Sadly, I will have to bring an end to your mother's existence.

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.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Since you've rejected knowledge, I too will reject you; you will no longer be my priests. As you've forgotten the law of your God, I will forget your children.

As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.

As their numbers grew, so did their sins against me. Thus, I will transform their pride into humiliation.

They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.

They feast on the wrongdoings of my people, passionately indulging in their misdeeds.

And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.

Just as the people, so will be the priest. I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.

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.

Despite their feasting, they'll still feel unsatisfied. Even with their promiscuity, they won't flourish. This is because they've stopped paying attention to God's guidance.

Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.

Prostitution, wine and new wine rob people of their understanding.

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.

My people ask advice from a block of wood, and a diviner's stick tells them what to do. A spirit of prostitution has led them astray; they have been unfaithful to their God like a prostitute.

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.

They worship on mountain peaks and burn offerings on hills, beneath oaks, poplars and elms, where the shade is pleasant. That is why your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law commit adultery.

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.

I won't punish your daughters when they turn to prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery, because the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes. Thus, a people without understanding will come to ruin.

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.

Even if you, Israel, stray, let Judah stay pure; avoid the temptations of Gilgal and Bethaven, and don't falsely claim, "The LORD lives."

For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.

Israel has strayed like a stubborn calf, but now, God will care for them like a lamb in a vast pasture.

Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.

Ephraim is entangled with false gods; leave him be.

Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love, Give ye.

Their drink has turned sour; they keep on prostituting themselves. Their leaders love shame and keep saying, "Give!"

The wind hath bound her up in her wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.

The wind has swept her up in its embrace, and their guilt will consume them due to their offerings.