Hosea 4:7-19

7The more priests there were, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their glorious God Syriac (see also an ancient Hebrew scribal tradition); Masoretic Text me; / I will exchange their glory for something disgraceful.

8They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness.

9And it will be: Like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.

10“They will eat but not have enough; they will engage in prostitution but not flourish, because they have deserted the LORD to give themselves

11to prostitution; old wine and new wine take away their understanding.

12My people consult a wooden idol, and a diviner’s rod speaks to them. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God.

13They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.

14“I will not punish your daughters when they turn to prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery, because the men themselves consort with harlots and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes— a people without understanding will come to ruin!

15“Though you, Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty. “Do not go to Gilgal; do not go up to Beth Aven. Beth Aven means house of wickedness (a derogatory name for Bethel, which means house of God). And do not swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’

16The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. How then can the LORD pasture them like lambs in a meadow?

17Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!

18Even when their drinks are gone, they continue their prostitution; their rulers dearly love shameful ways. 19A whirlwind will sweep them away, and their sacrifices will bring them shame.