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11     to devote themselves to immorality.

Idolatry and Debauchery

Wine, both old and new,
    deprives my people of understanding.
12 They consult a piece of wood for advice,
    and their divining rod[a] provides the answers they seek.
For a spirit of promiscuity has led them astray,
    and their immorality causes them to forsake their God.
13 They offer sacrifice on the mountaintops
    and burn incense on the hills,
beneath oak and poplar and terebinth
    because the shade they afford is pleasant.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 4:12 Piece of wood . . . divining rod: i.e., an idol used to foretell the future.

     11 to prostitution;(A)
old wine(B) and new wine
    take away their understanding.(C)
12 My people consult a wooden idol,(D)
    and a diviner’s rod speaks to them.(E)
A spirit of prostitution(F) leads them astray;(G)
    they are unfaithful(H) to their God.
13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops
    and burn offerings on the hills,
under oak,(I) poplar and terebinth,
    where the shade is pleasant.(J)
Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution(K)
    and your daughters-in-law to adultery.(L)

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