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“1 ¶ 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. 2 By swearing, and
lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break
out, and blood toucheth blood. 3 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. 4 Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for
thy people [are] as they that strive with the priest. 5 Therefore shalt
thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the
night, and I will destroy thy mother.”
“6 ¶ 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. 7 As they were increased, so they sinned against
me: [therefore] will I change their glory into shame. 8 They eat up the
sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity. 9 And
there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for
their ways, and reward them their doings. 10 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. 11 Whoredom and wine and
new wine take away the heart.”
“12 ¶ 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. 13 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. 14 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. 15 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. 16 For Israel slideth
back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a
large place. 17 Ephraim [is] joined to idols: let him alone. 18 Their
drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers
[with] shame do love, Give ye. 19 The wind hath bound her up in her
wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.” (Hosea
4:1-19 AV)
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