[1] Hear the word of the LORD, O people of Israel; for the LORD has a
controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or
kindness, and no knowledge of God in the land; [2] there is swearing,
lying, killing, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds
and murder follows murder. [3] Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell
in it languish, and also the beasts of the field, and the birds of the air;
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 ways, and requite them
for their deeds. [10] They shall eat, but not be satisfied; they shall play
the harlot, but not multiply; because they have forsaken the LORD to
cherish harlotry. [11] Wine and new wine take away the understanding. [12]
My people inquire of a thing of wood, and their staff gives them oracles.
For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray, and they have left their God
to play the harlot. [13] They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains, and
make offerings upon the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because
their shade is good. Therefore your daughters play the harlot, and your
brides commit adultery. [14] I will not punish your daughters when they
play the harlot, nor your brides when they commit adultery; for the men
themselves go aside with harlots, and sacrifice with cult prostitutes, and
a people without understanding shall come to ruin. [15] Though you play the
harlot, O Israel, let not Judah become guilty. Enter not into Gilgal, nor
go up to Beth-a'ven, and swear not, "As the LORD lives." [16] Like a
stubborn heifer, Israel is stubborn; can the LORD now feed them like a lamb
in a broad pasture? [17] E'phraim is joined to idols, let him alone. [18] A
band of drunkards, they give themselves to harlotry; they love shame more
than their glory. [19] A wind has wrapped them in its wings, and they shall
be ashamed because of their altars.
