Hearthe wordof the LORD, ye childrenof Israel: forthe LORDhath a controversywiththe inhabitantsof the land, because there is notruth, normercy, norknowledgeof Godin the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and bloodtouchethblood. Thereforeshall the landmourn, and every onethat dwelleththerein shall languish, with the beastsof the field, and with the fowlsof heaven; yea, the fishesof the seaalsoshall be taken away. Yetlet nomanstrive, norreproveanother: for thy people are as they that strivewith the priest. Therefore shalt thou fallin the day, and the prophetalsoshall fallwiththee in the night, and I will destroythy mother. My peopleare destroyedfor lackof knowledge: becausethouhast rejectedknowledge, I will also rejectthee, that thou shalt be no priestto me: seeing thou hast forgottenthe lawof thy God, Iwill alsoforgetthy children. As they were increased, sothey sinnedagainst me: therefore will I changetheir gloryinto shame. They eat upthe sinof my people, and they settheir heartontheir iniquity. And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punishthem for their ways, and rewardthem their doings. For they shall eat, and nothave enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall notincrease: becausethey have left offto take heedto the LORD. Whoredomand wineand new winetake awaythe heart. My peopleask counselat their stocks, and their staffdeclarethunto them: forthe spiritof whoredomshath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoringfrom undertheir God. They sacrificeuponthe topsof the mountains, and burn incenseuponthe hills, underoaksand poplarsand elms, becausethe shadowthereof is good: thereforeyour daughtersshall commit whoredom, and your spousesshall commit adultery. I will notpunishyour daughterswhenthey commit whoredom, nor your spouseswhenthey commit adultery: forthemselvesare separatedwithwhores, and they sacrificewithharlots: therefore the people that doth notunderstandshall fall. Thoughthou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let notJudahoffend; and comenotye unto Gilgal, neithergo ye upto Beth-aven, norswear, The LORDliveth. ForIsraelslideth backas a backslidingheifer: nowthe LORDwill feedthem as a lambin a large place. Ephraim is joinedto idols: let him alone. Their drinkis sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shamedo love, Giveye. The windhath bound her upin her wings, and they shall be ashamedbecause of their sacrifices.