1Hear the word of the LORD , ye children of Israel : for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land , because there is no truth , nor mercy , nor knowledge of God in the land . 2By swearing , and lying , and killing , and stealing , and committing adultery , they break out , and blood toucheth blood . 3Therefore shall the land mourn , and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish , with the beasts of the field , and with the fowls of heaven ; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away .
Consequences of Sin
4Yet let no man strive , nor reprove another : for thy people are as they that strive with the priest . 5Therefore shalt thou fall in the day , and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night , and I will destroy thy mother . 6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge : because thou hast rejected knowledge , I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God , I will also forget thy children . 7As they were increased , so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame . 8They eat up the sin of my people , and they set their heart on their iniquity . 9And there shall be, like people , like priest : and I will punish them for their ways , and reward them their doings . 10For they shall eat , and not have enough : they shall commit whoredom , and shall not increase : because they have left off to take heed to the LORD .
The Priests' Failure
11Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart . 12My 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 . 13They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains , and burn incense upon the hills , under oaks and poplars and elms , because the shadow thereof is good : therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom , and your spouses shall commit adultery . 14I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom , nor your spouses when they commit adultery : for themselves are separated with whores , and they sacrifice with harlots : therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall .
Idolatry and Its Impact
15Though thou, Israel , play the harlot , yet let not Judah offend ; and come not ye unto Gilgal , neither go ye up to Beth-aven , nor swear , The LORD liveth . 16For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer : now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place . 17Ephraim is joined to idols : let him alone . 18Their drink is sour : they have committed whoredom continually : her rulers with shame do love , Give ye. 19The wind hath bound her up in her wings , and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices .