13 (A)They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops,
And burn incense on the hills,
Under oaks, poplars, and terebinths,
Because their shade is good.
(B)Therefore your daughters commit harlotry,
And your brides commit adultery.

14 “I will not punish your daughters when they commit harlotry,
Nor your brides when they commit adultery;
For the men themselves go apart with harlots,
And offer sacrifices with a (C)ritual harlot.
Therefore people who do not understand will be trampled.

15 “Though you, Israel, play the harlot,
Let not Judah offend.
(D)Do not come up to Gilgal,
Nor go up to (E)Beth[a] Aven,
(F)Nor swear an oath, saying, ‘As the Lord lives’—

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 4:15 Lit. House of Idolatry or Wickedness

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).