Hosea 4:4-1964 bbe — Let no man go to law or make protests, for your people are like those who go to law with a priest. You will not be able…

Hosea 4:4-1964 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “Let no man go to law or make protests, for your people are like those who go to law with a priest. You will not be able to keep on your feet by day, and by night the prophet will be falling down with you, and I will give your mother to destruction. Destruction has overtaken my people because they have no knowledge; because you have given up knowledge, I will give you up, so that you will be no priest to me, because you have not kept in mind the law of your God, I will not keep your children in my memory. Even while they were increasing in number they were sinning against me; I will let their glory be changed into shame. The sin of my people is like food to them; and their desire is for their wrongdoing. And the priest will be like the people; I will give them punishment for their evil ways, and the reward of their acts. They will have food, but they will not be full; they will be false to me, but they will not be increased, because they no longer give thought to the Lord. Loose ways and new wine take away wisdom. My people get knowledge from their tree, and their rod gives them news; for a false spirit is the cause of their wandering, and they have been false to their God. They make offerings on the tops of mountains, burning perfumes in high places, under trees of every sort, because their shade is good: and so your daughters are given up to loose ways and your brides are false to their husbands. I will not give punishment to your daughters or your brides for their evil behaviour; for they make themselves separate with loose women, and make offerings with those who are used for sex purposes in the worship of the gods: the people who have no wisdom will be sent away. Do not you, O Israel, come into error; do not you, O Judah, come to Gilgal, or go up to Beth-aven, or take an oath, By the living Lord. For Israel is uncontrolled, like a cow which may not be controlled; now will the Lord give them food like a lamb in a wide place. Ephraim is joined to false gods; let him be. Their drink has become bitter; they are completely false; her rulers take pleasure in shame. They are folded in the skirts of the wind; they will be shamed because of their offerings.”

Hosea 4:4-1964 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Hosea, chapter 4, verses 4–1964.

Hosea is traditionally attributed to Hosea son of Beeri. It was written c. 755–710 BC.

Hosea is commanded to marry an unfaithful woman as a living picture of God's steadfast love for an unfaithful Israel. Through heartbreak and pursuit, he proclaims that the LORD will not give up on his people even when they have given up on him.

Hosea explores themes including Steadfast Love, Idolatry as Adultery, Pursuit, Repentance, Restoration. These themes shape the meaning and context of Hosea 4:4-1964.

Hosea 4:4-1964 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.

Hosea 4:4-1964 reads (BBE): “Let no man go to law or make protests, for your people are like those who go to law with a priest. You will not be able to keep on your feet by day, and by night the prophet will be falling down with you, and I will give your mother to destruction. Destruction has overtaken my people because they have no knowledge; because you have given up knowledge, I will give you up, so that you will be no priest to me, because you have not kept in mind the law of your God, I will not keep your children in my memory. Even while they were increasing in number they were sinning against me; I will let their glory be changed into shame. The sin of my people is like food to them; and their desire is for their wrongdoing. And the priest will be like the people; I will give them punishment for their evil ways, and the reward of their acts. They will have food, but they will not be full; they will be false to me, but they will not be increased, because they no longer give thought to the Lord. Loose ways and new wine take away wisdom. My people get knowledge from their tree, and their rod gives them news; for a false spirit is the cause of their wandering, and they have been false to their God. They make offerings on the tops of mountains, burning perfumes in high places, under trees of every sort, because their shade is good: and so your daughters are given up to loose ways and your brides are false to their husbands. I will not give punishment to your daughters or your brides for their evil behaviour; for they make themselves separate with loose women, and make offerings with those who are used for sex purposes in the worship of the gods: the people who have no wisdom will be sent away. Do not you, O Israel, come into error; do not you, O Judah, come to Gilgal, or go up to Beth-aven, or take an oath, By the living Lord. For Israel is uncontrolled, like a cow which may not be controlled; now will the Lord give them food like a lamb in a wide place. Ephraim is joined to false gods; let him be. Their drink has become bitter; they are completely false; her rulers take pleasure in shame. They are folded in the skirts of the wind; they will be shamed because of their offerings.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.