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14 “I will not punish your daughters
    when they become prostitutes.
I will not judge your daughters-in-law
    when they commit adultery.
After all, the men themselves have sex with sinful women.
    They offer sacrifices where temple prostitutes earn their living.
    People who can’t understand will be destroyed!

15 “Israel, you are not faithful to me.
    But I do not want Judah to become guilty too.

“My people, do not go to Gilgal to offer sacrifices.
    Do not go up to Bethel to worship other gods.
When you make a promise, do not say,
    ‘You can be sure that the Lord is alive.’
16 The people of Israel are stubborn.
    They are as stubborn as a young cow.
So how can I take care of them
    like lambs in a meadow?

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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(A)
    and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes(B)
    a people without understanding(C) will come to ruin!(D)

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

“Do not go to Gilgal;(E)
    do not go up to Beth Aven.[a](F)
    And do not swear, ‘As surely as the Lord lives!’(G)
16 The Israelites are stubborn,(H)
    like a stubborn heifer.(I)
How then can the Lord pasture them
    like lambs(J) in a meadow?

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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).