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1 Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites! For the LORD has a covenant lawsuit against the people of Israel. For there is neither faithfulness nor loyalty in the land, nor do they acknowledge God. 2 There is only cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery. They resort to violence and bloodshed. 3 Therefore the land will mourn, and all its inhabitants will perish. The wild animals, the birds of the sky, and even the fish in the sea will perish. 4 Do not let anyone accuse or contend against anyone else: for my case is against you priests! 5 You stumble day and night, and the false prophets stumble with you; You have destroyed your own people! 6 You have destroyed my people by failing to acknowledge me! Because you refuse to acknowledge me, I will reject you as my priests. Because you reject the law of your God, I will reject your descendants. 7 The more the priests increased in numbers, the more they rebelled against me. They have turned their glorious calling into a shameful disgrace! 8 They feed on the sin offerings of my people; their appetites long for their iniquity! 9 I will deal with the people and priests together: I will punish them both for their ways, and I will repay them for their deeds. Hosea 4:1-9, New English Translation. Copyright © 1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press.
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