God’s Case against Israel
against the inhabitants of the land:
and no knowledge of God4:1 Hs 5:4 in the land!
and adultery4:2 Hs 7:4 are rampant;
and everyone who lives in it languishes,
along with the wild animals4:3 Jr 4:25 and the birds of the sky;
even the fish of the sea disappear.4:3 Gn 1:20–25
for my case is against you priests.4:4 Text emended; MT reads argue, and your people are like those contending with a priest4:4 Hb obscure4:4 Dt 17:12–13
the prophet will also stumble with you by night.
Because you have rejected knowledge,4:6 Mal 2:7–8
I will reject you4:6 Zch 11:8–9,15–17 from serving as my priest.
I will also forget your sons.
the more they sinned against me.
I4:7 Alt Hb tradition, Syr, Tg read They will change their4:7 Alt Hb tradition reads my honor into disgrace.4:7 Hab 2:16
9The same judgment will happen
and repay them for their deeds.
they will be promiscuous4:10 Hs 7:4 but not multiply.
For they have abandoned their devotion to the Lord.4:10 Hs 9:17
and their divining rods inform them.
For a spirit of promiscuity leads them astray;4:12 Hs 5:4
they act promiscuously4:12 Hs 9:1
in disobedience to4:12 Lit promiscuously from under their God.
and under oaks, poplars, and terebinths,4:13 Jr 2:20
because their shade is pleasant.
And so your daughters act promiscuously
and your daughters-in-law commit adultery.
14I will not punish your daughters
when they act promiscuously
or your daughters-in-law
when they commit adultery,
and make sacrifices with cult prostitutes.4:14 Dt 23:17
People without discernment are doomed.4:14 Hs 5:4
Warnings for Israel and Judah
15Israel, if you act promiscuously,
don’t let Judah become guilty!
or make a pilgrimage to Beth-aven,4:15 = House of Wickedness4:15 1Kg 12:28–29; Hs 5:8; 10:5,8
Can the Lord now shepherd them
18When their drinking is over,
they turn to promiscuity.
Israel’s leaders4:18 Lit Her shields; Ps 47:9; 89:18 fervently love disgrace.4:18 Hb obscure
and they will be ashamed of their sacrifices.
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