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13 They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains,
    and burn incense upon the hills
under oak, poplar, and elm
    because their shade is good.
Therefore your daughters play the whore,
    and your daughters-in-law commit adultery.

14 I will not punish your daughters
    when they play the whore,
nor your daughters-in-law
    when they commit adultery.
For the men separate themselves with whores,
    and they sacrifice with cult prostitutes.
    A people without understanding will come to ruin.

15 Though you play the whore, O Israel,
    do not let Judah offend.

Do not come to Gilgal,
    or go up to Beth Aven,
    and do not swear, “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).