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13 They make sacrifices on the tops of the mountains [C places of pagan worship].
    They burn offerings on the hills,
under oaks, poplars, and ·other trees [terebinths],
    because their shade is ·nice [pleasant].
So your daughters become prostitutes [C cultic prostitutes in pagan temples],
    and your daughters-in-law are guilty of adultery.

14 “But I will not punish your daughters
    for becoming prostitutes,
nor your daughters-in-law
    for their sins of adultery.
I will not punish them,
    because the men ·have sexual relations [go off] with prostitutes
and offer sacrifices with the ·temple [cult; shrine] prostitutes.
    A ·foolish people [people without knowledge/discernment] will be ·ruined [destroyed].

15 “Israel, you ·act like a prostitute [or commit adultery],
    but do not let Judah be guilty toward the Lord.
Don’t go to Gilgal [C a city where false worship was taking place]
    or go up to Beth Aven [C “house of wickedness,” a derogatory name for Bethel, “house of God”].
Don’t ·make promises [swear],
    saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives…’

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13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops
    and burn offerings on the hills,
under oak,(A) poplar and terebinth,
    where the shade is pleasant.(B)
Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution(C)
    and your daughters-in-law to adultery.(D)

14 “I will not punish your daughters
    when they turn to prostitution,
nor your daughters-in-law
    when they commit adultery,
because the men themselves consort with harlots(E)
    and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes(F)
    a people without understanding(G) will come to ruin!(H)

15 “Though you, Israel, commit adultery,
    do not let Judah become guilty.

“Do not go to Gilgal;(I)
    do not go up to Beth Aven.[a](J)
    And do not swear, ‘As surely as the Lord lives!’(K)

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 4:15 Beth Aven means house of wickedness (a derogatory name for Bethel, which means house of God).