1“Listen to Yahweh’s word, you people of Israel, because Yahweh has a case against the people of this land: ‘Indeed, there is no truth, no goodness, and no knowledge of God in the land.’
2There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery; they constantly break the rules, and violence follows violence.
3Therefore, the land will mourn, and everyone living in it will waste away. All living things in the land, even the wild animals and the birds of the sky, will die; yes, even the fish of the sea will die.
4“Yet, let no one accuse or blame another. For your people are like those who accuse a priest.
5You will stumble in the daytime, and the prophet will also stumble with you in the night; and I will destroy your mother.
6My people are destroyed because they lack knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from being my priest. Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
7The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against me. I will change their glory into shame.
8They feed on the sins of my people and desire their wickedness.
9Everyone will be treated the same, both people and priests. I will punish them for their behavior and repay them for their actions.
10They will eat but never be satisfied. They will act like prostitutes but their numbers will not grow, because they have stopped giving offerings to Yahweh.
11Prostitution, wine, and new wine take away understanding.
12My people ask questions of their wooden idols and get answers from a piece of wood. A spirit of prostitution has led them astray, and they have been unfaithful to their God.
13They offer sacrifices on mountain tops and burn incense on hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth trees, because the shade is good. That is why your daughters act like prostitutes and your brides commit adultery.
14I will not punish your daughters when they act like prostitutes, nor your brides when they commit adultery. This is because the men are involved with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes. So, people who don't understand will be ruined.
15Even if you, Israel, act like a prostitute, don't let Judah offend. Don't go to Gilgal or Beth Aven, and don't make promises saying, 'As Yahweh lives.'
16Israel has been extremely stubborn, like a rebellious young cow. So how can Yahweh feed them like a lamb in a meadow?
17Ephraim is devoted to idols. Leave him alone!
18Their drink has turned sour. They constantly act like prostitutes. Their leaders dearly love their shameful ways.
19The wind has swept her away in its wings; and they will be disappointed because of their sacrifices.