God’s Case against His People 1 UEB Hear the word of Yahweh, you people of Israel. Yahweh has a lawsuit against the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truthfulness or covenantal faithfulness, no knowledge of God in the land. BSB BSB: Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land!
2 UEB There is cursing, lying, killing, stealing and adultery. The people have broken all bounds, and bloodshed comes after bloodshed. BSB BSB: Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.
3 UEB So the land is drying up, and everyone living in it is wasting away; the beasts in the fields and the birds in the sky, even the fish in the sea, are being taken away. BSB BSB: Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear.
4 UEB But do not allow anyone to bring a lawsuit; do not let anyone accuse anyone else. For it is you, the priests, whom I am accusing. BSB BSB: But let no man contend; let no man offer reproof; for your people are like those who contend with a priest.
5 UEB You priests will stumble during the day; the prophets will also stumble with you by night, and I will destroy your mother. BSB BSB: You will stumble by day, and the prophet will stumble with you by night; so I will destroy your mother—
6 UEB My people are being destroyed because of the lack of knowledge. Because you priests have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as priests to me. Because you have forgotten my law, although I am your God, I also will forget your children. BSB BSB: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
7 UEB The more the priests multiplied, the more they sinned against me. They exchanged their honor for shame. BSB BSB: The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace.
8 UEB They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for more of their wickedness. BSB BSB: They feed on the sins of My people and set their hearts on iniquity.
9 UEB It will be the same for the people as for the priests: I will punish them all for their practices; I will repay them for their deeds. BSB BSB: And it shall be like people, like priest. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds.
10 UEB They will eat but not have enough; they will commit prostitution but not increase, because they have gone far away from Yahweh. BSB BSB: They will eat but not be satisfied; they will be promiscuous but not multiply. For they have abandoned the LORD to give themselves
11 UEB They love sexual promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which have taken away their understanding. BSB BSB: to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding.
12 UEB My people consult their wooden idols, and their walking sticks give them prophecies. For a mind of promiscuity has misled them, and they have acted as prostitutes instead of being faithful to their God. BSB BSB: My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God.
13 UEB They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains and burn incense on the hills, under oaks, poplars and terebinths, because the shade is good. So your daughters commit sexual immorality, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery. BSB BSB: They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.
14 UEB I will not punish your daughters when they choose to commit sexual immorality, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men also give themselves to the prostitutes, and they offer sacrifices so they can commit immoral acts with sacred prostitutes. So this people who does not understand will be thrown down. BSB BSB: I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.
15 UEB Though you, Israel, have committed adultery, may Judah not become guilty. Do not go to Gilgal, you people; do not go up to Beth Aven, and do not swear, saying, "As Yahweh lives." BSB BSB: Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’
16 UEB For Israel has behaved stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. How can Yahweh bring them to pasture like lambs in a meadow? BSB BSB: For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?
17 UEB Ephraim united himself with idols; leave him alone. BSB BSB: Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!
18 UEB Even when their strong drink is gone, they continue to commit adultery; her rulers dearly love their shame. BSB BSB: When their liquor is gone, they turn to prostitution; their rulers dearly love disgrace.
19 UEB The wind will wrap her up in its wings; and they will be ashamed because of their sacrifices. BSB BSB: The whirlwind has wrapped them in its wings, and their sacrifices will bring them shame.