Study Desk

Harlotry, ^(ad)wine and new wine take away the ^[h]understanding.

My people ^(ae)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 ^[i]from their God.

They offer sacrifices on the ^(af)tops of the mountains And ^[j](ag)burn incense on the hills, ^(ah)Under oak, poplar and terebinth, Because their shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters play the harlot And your ^[k]brides commit adultery.

I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot Or your ^[l]brides when they commit adultery, For the men themselves go apart with harlots And offer sacrifices with ^(ai)temple prostitutes; So the people without understanding are ^[m]ruined.

Though you, Israel, play the harlot, Do not let Judah become guilty; Also do not go to ^(aj)Gilgal, Or go up to Beth-aven ^(ak)And take the oath: "As the Lord lives!"

Since Israel is ^(al)stubborn Like a stubborn heifer, ^[n]Can the Lord now ^(am)pasture them Like a lamb in a large field?

Ephraim is joined to ^(an)idols; ^(ao)Let him alone.

Their liquor gone, They play the harlot continually; ^(ap)Their ^[o]rulers dearly love shame.

^(aq)The wind wraps them in its wings, And they will be ashamed because of their sacrifices.

Hear this, O priests! Give heed, O house of Israel! Listen, O house of the king! For the judgment applies to you, For you have been a ^(a)snare at Mizpah And a net spread out on Tabor.

The ^(b)revolters have ^[a](c)gone deep in depravity, But I will chastise all of them.

I ^(d)know Ephraim, and Israel is not hidden from Me; For now, O Ephraim, you have played the harlot, Israel has defiled itself.

Their deeds will not allow them To return to their God. For a ^(e)spirit of harlotry is within them, And they ^(f)do not know the Lord .