11 Drinking and sleeping around destroy the heart.

12 My people consult their wooden idols,

≈and their divining rods inform them.

because a spirit of unfaithfulness has led them astray,

≈and they’ve played the loose woman, departing from their God.

13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops

≈and burn incense on the hills,

under oaks, poplars and terebinths,

→because the shade is good.

Therefore your daughters prostitute themselves,

≈and your daughters-in-law commit adultery.

14 I won’t punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves,

≈nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery,

because the men themselves go off with loose women,

≈and they offer sacrifices with cult prostitutes,

→so the people without understanding will be ruined.

15 Though you, prostitute yourself, Yisrael,

don’t involve Yehudah in what you’re doing.

Don’t go to Gilgal or to Beth Aven,

and don’t make an oath, saying, “As Yahweh lives.”

16 Yisrael is stubborn, like a stubborn heifer.

Can Yahweh now feed them like lambs in a large paddock?

17 Efraim/Yisrael is joined to idols.

Leave them alone.

18 Even when their drinking is over,

they prostitute themselves continually.

Her rulers dearly love their shame.

19 The wind will wrap them up in its wings,

and they’ll be ashamed because of their sacrifices.

5 “Hear this, you priests.

≈Pay attention, you Israelis.

≈Listen, you household of the king,

because the judgment is for you,

because you have all been a snare at Mizpah

≈and a net spread over Mt. Tabor.

2 The rebels stand deep in slaughter,

→but I will discipline all of them.

3 I know Efraim,

≈and Yisrael isn’t hidden from me.

You’ve prostituted yourself for now, Efraim.

≈Yisrael is defiled.