7. The more priests there are,the more they sin against me.I will take away their honorand give them shame.
8. Since the priests live off the sin offerings of the people,they want the people to sin more and more.
9. The priests are as wrong as the people,and I will punish them both for what they have done.I will repay them for the wrong they have done.
10. “They will eatbut not have enough;they will have sexual relations with the prostitutes,but they will not have children,because they have left the Lordto give themselves to
11. prostitution,to old and new wine,which take away their ability to understand.
12. “My people ask wooden idols for advice;they ask those sticks of wood to advise them!Like prostitutes, they have chased after other godsand have left their own God.
13. They make sacrifices on the tops of the mountains.They burn offerings on the hills,under oaks, poplars, and other trees,because their shade is nice.So your daughters become prostitutes,and your daughters-in-law are guilty of adultery.
14. “But I will not punish your daughtersfor becoming prostitutes,nor your daughters-in-lawfor their sins of adultery.I will not punish them,because the men have sexual relations with prostitutesand offer sacrifices with the temple prostitutes.A foolish people will be ruined.
15. “Israel, you act like a prostitute,but do not be guilty toward the Lord.Don’t go to Gilgalor go up to Beth Aven.Don’t make promises,saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives …’
16. The people of Israel are stubbornlike a stubborn young cow.Now the Lord will feed themlike lambs in the open country.