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15 Though you prostitute yourself, Israel,
    do not let Judah become guilty!
Do not come to Gilgal,[a]
    do not go up to Beth-aven,(A)
    do not swear, “As the Lord lives!”(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 4:15 Gilgal: close to Jericho (Jos 4:19–20; 5:2–9). Beth-aven: (lit., “house of iniquity”) Hosea’s derogatory term for the sanctuary of Bethel (lit., “house of God”), the major shrine of the Northern Kingdom (10:5, 8; cf. Am 5:5). As the Lord lives: a legitimate oath formula (1 Sm 26:10, 16), but unacceptable here because Israel is guilty of religious syncretism and the idolatrous worship of other gods.