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Their [immoral] practices will not permit them
To return to their God,
For the spirit of prostitution is within them
And they do not know the Lord [they do not recognize, appreciate, heed or cherish Him].

But the pride and self-reliance of Israel testifies against him.
Therefore Israel, and [especially] [a]Ephraim, stumble and fall in their wickedness and guilt;
[b]Judah also has stumbled with them.

They will go with their flocks and with their herds
To seek the Lord [diligently searching for Him], but they will not find Him;
He has withdrawn from them [refusing to hear the prayers of the unrepentant].

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 5:5 Ephraim was the most dominant of the ten tribes in the Kingdom of Israel, and this and other economic factors led to Ephraim becoming a synonym for the entire Northern Kingdom.
  2. Hosea 5:5 The Southern Kingdom or Kingdom of Judah consisted primarily of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. After the united kingdom divided, Judah continued to be ruled by the kings of the Davidic line. Jerusalem was the capital city of Judah.

“Their deeds do not permit them
    to return(A) to their God.
A spirit of prostitution(B) is in their heart;
    they do not acknowledge(C) the Lord.
Israel’s arrogance testifies(D) against them;
    the Israelites, even Ephraim, stumble(E) in their sin;
    Judah also stumbles with them.(F)
When they go with their flocks and herds
    to seek the Lord,(G)
they will not find him;
    he has withdrawn(H) himself from them.

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