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12 They consult a piece of wood for advice,
    and their divining rod[a] provides the answers they seek.
For a spirit of promiscuity has led them astray,
    and their immorality causes them to forsake their God.
13 They offer sacrifice on the mountaintops
    and burn incense on the hills,
beneath oak and poplar and terebinth
    because the shade they afford is pleasant.
14 I shall not punish your daughters for becoming prostitutes
    or your daughters-in-law for committing adultery.
For your men themselves consort with harlots
    and offer sacrifice with temple prostitutes;
    a people thus devoid of understanding is doomed.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 4:12 Piece of wood . . . divining rod: i.e., an idol used to foretell the future.

12 My people consult a wooden idol,(A)
    and a diviner’s rod speaks to them.(B)
A spirit of prostitution(C) leads them astray;(D)
    they are unfaithful(E) to their God.
13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops
    and burn offerings on the hills,
under oak,(F) poplar and terebinth,
    where the shade is pleasant.(G)
Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution(H)
    and your daughters-in-law to adultery.(I)

14 “I will not punish your daughters
    when they turn to prostitution,
nor your daughters-in-law
    when they commit adultery,
because the men themselves consort with harlots(J)
    and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes(K)
    a people without understanding(L) will come to ruin!(M)

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