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Hosea

Uses the prophet's marriage as a symbol for Israel's unfaithfulness and God's faithful love.

Chapter 4

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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.

*Listen to what God says, all you people of Israel, because God has a problem with the people living in the land. There's not enough truth, kindness, or understanding of God where they live.

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

*Through swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and committing adultery, people cause harm and violence, leading to bloodshed.

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.

*So, the land will be sad, and everyone living there, including animals and birds, will be weak. Even fish in the sea will disappear.

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

*So don't argue or criticize others, because your people act like those who fight with the religious leader.

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.

*So you will fall during the day, and the prophet will fall with you at night, and I will destroy your mom.

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.

*My people lose everything because they don't know enough: since you ignored knowing things, I won't choose you as a leader; and because you forgot God's rules, I'll forget your kids too.

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

*As they grew more, they disobeyed me; so I'll turn their pride into embarrassment.

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

*They consume the wrongdoing of my people, and they focus on their wicked actions.

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

*People will be like their priests, and I will punish them for their actions and reward them for what they do.

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.

*They will eat but still be hungry; they will engage in immorality and not grow in number. This is because they no longer pay attention to the Lord.

11 Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.

*Whoredom and wine, especially new wine, cause the heart to lose focus.

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.

*My people seek advice from their animals, and their walking sticks tell them things. But because they've been influenced by immorality, they've strayed away from their true 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.

*People offer sacrifices on mountain peaks and burn incense in the hills, near oak, poplar, and elm trees because their shade is nice. Because of this, your daughters will be unfaithful and your spouses will cheat.

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.

*I won't punish girls for being promiscuous or spouses for cheating, because their leaders mix with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with them. Consequently, those who don't understand will fail.

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.

*Even though Israel acts unfaithfully, don't let Judah do wrong too. Don't go to Gilgal or Bethaven, and don't swear using God's name.

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

*For Israel acts like a wandering cow: now, God will care for them gently like a baby sheep in a big area.

17 Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.

*Ephraim is connected to false gods; leave them be.

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

*Their drink tastes bad; they keep doing wrong things; their leaders like it but feel ashamed. Give them up.

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

*The wind wraps her in its wings, and they will feel embarrassed about their offerings.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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