They shall commit harlotry, but not increase;
Because they have ceased obeying the Lord.
The Idolatry of Israel
And their1 staff informs them.
For bthe spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray,
And they have played the harlot against their God.
And burn incense on the hills,
Under oaks, poplars, and terebinths,
Because their shade is good.
bTherefore your daughters commit harlotry,
And your brides commit adultery.
Nor your brides when they commit adultery;
For the men themselves go apart with harlots,
And offer sacrifices with a aritual harlot.
Therefore people who do not understand will be trampled.
Let not Judah offend.
aDo not come up to Gilgal,
Nor go up to bBeth Aven,
cNor swear an oath, saying, ‘As the Lord lives’—
Like a stubborn calf;
Now the Lord will let them forage
Like a lamb in1 open country.
| << Hosea 4:11 | Hosea 4:13 >> |
American Standard Version
My people ask counsel at their stock, and their staff declareth unto them; for the spirit of whoredom hath caused them to err, and they have played the harlot, `departing' from under their God.
Amplified® Bible
My people [habitually] ask counsel of their [senseless] wood [idols], and their staff [of wood] gives them oracles {and} instructs them. For the spirit of harlotry has led them astray and they have played the harlot, withdrawing themselves from subjection to their God.
Contemporary English Version
You expect wooden idols and other objects of wood to give you advice. Lusting for sex at pagan shrines has made you unfaithful to me, your God.
Darby English Version
My people ask counsel of their stock, and their staff declareth unto them; for the spirit of whoredoms causeth [them] to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God:
Good News Bible
They ask for revelations from a piece of wood! A stick tells them what they want to know! They have left me. Like a woman who becomes a prostitute, they have given themselves to other gods.
King James Version
My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.
New American Standard Bible
My people consult their wooden idol, and their {diviner's} wand informs them; For a spirit of harlotry has led {them} astray, And they have played the harlot, {departing} from their God.
New International Version
of my people.
They consult a wooden idol
and are answered by a stick of wood.
A spirit of prostitution leads them astray;
they are unfaithful to their God.
New King James Version
My people ask counsel from their wooden idols,
And their staff informs them.
For the spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray,
And they have played the harlot against their God.
N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
My people consult their wooden idol, and their diviner's wand informs them; For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray, And they have played the harlot, departing from their God.
Revised Standard Version
My people inquire of a thing of wood, and their staff gives them oracles. For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray, and they have left their God to play the harlot.
Young's Literal Translation
My people at its staff asketh and its rod declareth to it, For a spirit of whoredoms hath caused to err, And they go a-whoring from under their God.
| << Hosea 4:11 | Hosea 4:13 >> |
Join 137,074+ readers
A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning
Consistent Bible study is hard to start.
The Berean gives you the starting point: one scripture and a focused commentary in your inbox each morning — read it in minutes, or go as deep as you like.
Free, daily, and spam-free. We never share your address. Unsubscribe anytime.