Study Desk

¹¹to prostitution;^(aa) old wine^(ab) and new wine take away their understanding.^(ac)

My people consult a wooden idol,^(ad) and a diviner's rod speaks to them.^(ae) A spirit of prostitution^(af) leads them astray;^(ag) they are unfaithful^(ah) to their God.

They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak,^(ai) poplar and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant.^(aj) Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution^(ak) and your daughters-in-law to adultery.^(al)

"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^(am) and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes^(an)— a people without understanding^(ao) will come to ruin!^(ap)

"Though you, Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty. "Do not go to Gilgal;^(aq) do not go up to Beth Aven.^[c](ar) And do not swear, ‘As surely as the Lord lives!'^(as)

The Israelites are stubborn,^(at) like a stubborn heifer.^(au) How then can the Lord pasture them like lambs^(av) in a meadow?

Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!

Even when their drinks are gone, they continue their prostitution; their rulers dearly love shameful ways.

A whirlwind^(aw) will sweep them away, and their sacrifices will bring them shame.^(ax)

"Hear this, you priests! Pay attention, you Israelites! Listen, royal house! This judgment^(a) is against you: You have been a snare^(b) at Mizpah, a net^(c) spread out on Tabor.

The rebels are knee-deep in slaughter.^(d) I will discipline all of them.^(e)

I know all about Ephraim; Israel is not hidden^(f) from me. Ephraim, you have now turned to prostitution; Israel is corrupt.^(g)

"Their deeds do not permit them to return^(h) to their God. A spirit of prostitution⁽ⁱ⁾ is in their heart; they do not acknowledge^(j) the Lord .