Hosea 4 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of Hosea 4 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
KJV Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
ASV Hear the word of Jehovah, ye children of Israel; for Jehovah hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land.
WEB Hear Yahweh’s word, you children of Israel; for Yahweh has a charge against the inhabitants of the land: “Indeed there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land.
YLT `Hear a word of Jehovah, sons of Israel, For a strife <FI>is<Fi> to Jehovah with inhabitants of the land, For there is no truth, nor kindness, Nor knowledge of God, in the land,
DRB Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel, for the Lord shall enter into judgment with the inhabitants of the land: for there is no truth, and there is no mercy, and there is no knowledge of God in the land.
DBY Hear the word of Jehovah, ye children of Israel; for Jehovah hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land; for there is no truth, nor goodness, nor knowledge of God in the land.
GNV Heare the worde of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controuersie with the inhabitants of the lande, because there is no trueth nor mercie nor knowledge of God in the lande.
LSB Listen to the word of Yahweh, O sons of Israel, For Yahweh has a contention against the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no truth or lovingkindness Or knowledge of God in the land.
Verse 2
KJV By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.
ASV There is nought but swearing and breaking faith, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery; they break out, and blood toucheth blood.
WEB There is cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break boundaries, and bloodshed causes bloodshed.
YLT Swearing, and lying, and murdering, And stealing, and committing adultery--have increased, And blood against blood hath touched.
DRB Cursing, and lying, and killing, and theft, and adultery, have overflowed, and blood hath touched blood.
DBY Swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out; and blood toucheth blood.
GNV By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and whoring they breake out, and blood toucheth blood.
LSB There is swearing of oaths, deception, murder, stealing, and adultery. They break forth in violence so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.
Verse 3
KJV Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
ASV Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
WEB Therefore the land will mourn, and everyone who dwells therein will waste away. all living things in her, even the animals of the field and the birds of the sky; yes, the fish of the sea also die.
YLT Therefore mourn doth the land, And weak is every dweller in it, With the beast of the field, And with the fowl of the heavens, And the fishes of the sea--they are removed.
DRB Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth in it shall languish with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of the air: yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be gathered together.
DBY For this shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowl of the heavens, yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
GNV Therefore shall the land mourne, and euery one that dwelleth therein, shall be cut off, with the beasts of the fielde, and with the foules of the heauen, and also the fishes of the sea shall be taken away.
LSB Therefore the land mourns, And everyone who inhabits it languishes Along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky, And also the fish of the sea disappear.
Verse 4
KJV Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.
ASV Yet let no man strive, neither let any man reprove; for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.
WEB “Yet let no man bring a charge, neither let any man accuse; For your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.
YLT Only, let no one strive, nor reprove a man, And thy people <FI>are<Fi> as those striving with a priest.
DRB But yet let not any man judge: and let not a man be rebuked: for thy people are as they that contradict the priest.
DBY Yet let no man strive, and let no man reprove; for thy people are as they that strive with the priest.
GNV Yet let none rebuke, nor reproue another: for thy people are as they that rebuke the Priest.
LSB Yet let no man contend, and let no man offer reproof; Indeed, your people are like those who contend with the priest.
Verse 5
KJV Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.
ASV And thou shalt stumble in the day, and the prophet also shall stumble with thee in the night; and I will destroy thy mother.
WEB You will stumble in the day, and the prophet will also stumble with you in the night; and I will destroy your mother.
YLT And thou hast stumbled in the day, And stumbled hath also a prophet with thee in the night, And I have cut off thy mother.
DRB And thou shalt fall today, and the prophet also shall fall with thee: in the night I have made thy mother to be silent.
DBY And thou shalt stumble by day; and the prophet also shall stumble with thee by night: and I will destroy thy mother.
GNV Therefore shalt thou fall in the day, and the Prophet shall fall with thee in the night, and I will destroy thy mother.
LSB So you will stumble by day, And the prophet also will stumble with you by night; And I will destroy your mother.
Verse 6
KJV My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
ASV My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children.
WEB My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you may be no priest to me. Because you have forgotten your God’s law, I will also forget your children.
YLT Cut off have been My people for lack of knowledge, Because thou knowledge hast rejected, I reject thee from being priest to Me, And thou forgettest the law of thy God, I forget thy sons, I also!
DRB My people have been silent, because they had no knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will reject thee, that thou shalt not do the office of priesthood to me: and thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children.
DBY My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; for thou hast rejected knowledge, and I will reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me; seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children.
GNV My people are destroyed for lacke of knowledge: because thou hast refused knowledge, I will also refuse thee, that thou shalt be no Priest to me: and seeing thou hast forgotten the Lawe of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
LSB My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from ministering as My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I Myself also will forget your children.
Verse 7
KJV As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame.
ASV As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me: I will change their glory into shame.
WEB As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me. I will change their glory into shame.
YLT According to their abundance so they sinned against Me, Their honour into shame I change.
DRB According to the multitude of them, so have they sinned against me: I will change their glory into shame.
DBY As they were multiplied, so they sinned against me: I will change their glory into shame.
GNV As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I chaunge their glorie into shame.
LSB The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into disgrace.
Verse 8
KJV They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.
ASV They feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity.
WEB They feed on the sin of my people, and set their heart on their iniquity.
YLT The sin of My people they do eat, And unto their iniquity lift up their soul.
DRB They shall eat the sins of my people, and shall lift up their souls to their iniquity.
DBY They eat the sin of my people, and their soul longeth for their iniquity.
GNV They eate vp the sinnes of my people, and lift vp their mindes in their iniquitie.
LSB They eat the sin of My people And lift up their soul toward their iniquity.
Verse 9
KJV And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.
ASV And it shall be, like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and will requite them their doings.
WEB It will be, like people, like priest; and I will punish them for their ways, and will repay them for their deeds.
YLT And it hath been, like people, like priest, And I have charged on it its ways, And its habitual doings I return to it.
DRB And there shall be like people like priest: and I will visit their ways upon them, and I will repay them their devices.
DBY And it shall be as the people so the priest; and I will visit their ways upon them, and recompense to them their doings;
GNV And there shalbe like people, like Priest: for I wil visite their wayes vpon them, and reward them their deedes.
LSB And it will be like people, like priest; So I will punish them for their ways And cause their deeds to return to them.
Verse 10
KJV For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD.
ASV And they shall eat, and not have enough; they shall play the harlot, and shall not increase; because they have left off taking heed to Jehovah.
WEB They will eat, and not have enough. They will play the prostitute, and will not increase; because they have abandoned giving to Yahweh.
YLT And they have eaten, and are not satisfied, They have gone a-whoring, and increase not, For they have left off taking heed to Jehovah.
DRB And they shall eat and shall not be filled: they have committed fornication, and have not ceased: because they have forsaken the Lord in not observing the law.
DBY and they shall eat, and not have enough; they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: for they have left off taking heed to Jehovah.
GNV For they shall eate, and not haue ynough: they shall commit adulterie, and shall not increase, because they haue left off to take heede to ye Lord.
LSB They will eat, but not be satisfied; They will play the harlot, but not break forth in number, Because they have forsaken Yahweh to keep harlotry.
Verse 11
KJV Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.
ASV Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the understanding.
WEB Prostitution, wine, and new wine take away understanding.
YLT Whoredom, and wine, and new wine, take the heart,
DRB Fornication, and wine, and drunkenness, take away the understanding.
DBY Fornication, and wine, and new wine take away the heart.
GNV Whoredome, and wine, and newe wine take away their heart.
LSB Harlotry, wine, and new wine take away a heart of wisdom.
Verse 12
KJV My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.
ASV My people ask counsel at their stock, and their staff declareth unto them; for the spirit of whoredom hath caused them to err, and they have played the harlot, [departing] from under their God.
WEB My people consult with their wooden idol, and answer to a stick of wood. Indeed the spirit of prostitution has led them astray, and they have been unfaithful to their God.
YLT My people at its staff asketh and its rod declareth to it, For a spirit of whoredoms hath caused to err, And they go a-whoring from under their God.
DRB My people have consulted their stocks, and their staff hath declared unto them: for the spirit of fornication hath deceived them, and they have committed fornication against their God.
DBY My people ask counsel of their stock, and their staff declareth unto them; for the spirit of whoredoms causeth [them] to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God:
GNV My people aske counsell at their stockes, and their staffe teacheth them: for the spirite of fornications hath caused them to erre, and they haue gone a whoring from vnder their God.
LSB My people ask their wooden idol, and their diviner’s wand declares to them; For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray, And they have played the harlot, departing from their God.
Verse 13
KJV They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.
ASV They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinths, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters play the harlot, and your brides commit adultery.
WEB They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains, and burn incense on the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinths, because its shade is good. Therefore your daughters play the prostitute, and your brides commit adultery.
YLT On tops of the mountains they do sacrifice, And on the hills they make perfume, Under oak, and poplar, and terebinth, For good <FI>is<Fi> its shade.
DRB They offered sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burnt incense upon the hills: under the oak, and the poplar, and the turpentine tree, because the shadow thereof was good: therefore shall your daughters commit fornication, and your spouses shall be adulteresses.
DBY they sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oak and poplar and terebinth, because the shade thereof is good; therefore your daughters play the harlot and your daughters-in-law commit adultery.
GNV They sacrifice vpon the toppes of ye mountaines, and burne incense vpon the hilles vnder the okes, and the poplar tree, and the elme, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall be harlots, and your spouses shall be whores.
LSB They offer sacrifices on the tops of the mountains And burn incense on the hills, Under oak, poplar, and terebinth Because their shade is good. Therefore your daughters play the harlot, And your brides commit adultery.
Verse 14
KJV I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall.
ASV I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot, nor your brides when they commit adultery; for [the men] themselves go apart with harlots, and they sacrifice with the prostitutes; and the people that doth not understand shall be overthrown.
WEB I will not punish your daughters when they play the prostitute, nor your brides when they commit adultery; because the men consort with prostitutes, and they sacrifice with the shrine prostitutes; so the people without understanding will come to ruin.
YLT Therefore commit whoredom do your daughters, And your spouses commit adultery, I do not see after your daughters when they commit whoredom, And after your spouses when they commit adultery, For they with the harlots are separated, And with the whores they do sacrifice, A people that doth not understand kicketh.
DRB I will not visit upon your daughters, when they shall commit fornication, and upon your spouses when they shall commit adultery: because themselves conversed with harlots, and offered sacrifice with the effeminate, and the people that doth not understand shall be beaten.
DBY I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot, nor your daughters-in-law for their committing adultery; for they themselves go aside with harlots, and they sacrifice with prostitutes: and the people that doth not understand shall come to ruin.
GNV I will not visite your daughters when they are harlots: nor your spouses when they are whores: for they themselues are separated with harlots, and sacrifice with whores: therefore the people that doeth not vnderstand, shall fall.
LSB I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot Or your brides when they commit adultery, For the men themselves go apart with harlots And offer sacrifices with cult prostitutes; So the people without understanding are ruined.
Verse 15
KJV Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.
ASV Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Beth-aven, nor swear, As Jehovah liveth.
WEB “Though you, Israel, play the prostitute, yet don’t let Judah offend; and don’t come to Gilgal, neither go up to Beth Aven, nor swear, ‘As Yahweh lives.’
YLT Though a harlot thou <FI>art<Fi> , O Israel, Let not Judah become guilty, And come not ye in to Gilgal, nor go up to Beth-Aven, Nor swear ye, Jehovah liveth.
DRB If thou play the harlot, O Israel, at least let not Juda offend: and go ye not into Galgal, and come not up into Bethaven, and do not swear: The Lord liveth.
DBY Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, let not Judah trespass; and come ye not unto Gilgal, neither go up to Beth-aven, nor swear [As] Jehovah liveth!
GNV Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Iudah sinne: come not ye vnto Gilgal, neither goe ye vp to Beth-auen, nor sweare, The Lord liueth.
LSB Though you, Israel, play the harlot, Do not let Judah become guilty; Also do not go to Gilgal Nor go up to Beth‑aven And swear the oath: “As Yahweh lives!”
Verse 16
KJV For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.
ASV For Israel hath behaved himself stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer: now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a large place.
WEB For Israel has behaved extremely stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. Then how will Yahweh feed them like a lamb in a meadow.
YLT For as a refractory heifer hath Israel turned aside, Now doth Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a large place.
DRB For Israel hath gone astray like a wanton heifer now will the Lord feed them, as a lamb in a spacious place.
DBY For Israel is refractory as an untractable heifer; now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a wide [pasture].
GNV For Israel is rebellious as an vnruly heyfer. Nowe the Lord will feede them as a lambe in a large place.
LSB Since Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn heifer, Can Yahweh now feed them Like a lamb in a large field?
Verse 17
KJV Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.
ASV Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone.
WEB Ephraim is joined to idols. Leave him alone!
YLT Joined to idols <FI>is<Fi> Ephraim, let him alone.
DRB Ephraim is a partaker with idols, let him alone.
DBY Ephraim is joined to idols: leave him alone.
GNV Ephraim is ioyned to idoles: let him alone.
LSB Ephraim is joined to idols; Let him alone.
Verse 18
KJV Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love, Give ye.
ASV Their drink is become sour; they play the harlot continually; her rulers dearly love shame.
WEB Their drink has become sour. They play the prostitute continually. Her rulers dearly love their shameful way.
YLT Sour <FI>is<Fi> their drink, They have gone diligently a-whoring, Her protectors have loved shame thoroughly.
DRB Their banquet is separated, they have gone astray by fornication: they that should have protected them have loved to bring shame upon them.
DBY Their drink is sour; they give themselves up to whoredom; her great men passionately love [their] shame.
GNV Their drunkennes stinketh: they haue committed whoredome: their rulers loue to say with shame, Bring ye.
LSB Their drink gone; They play the harlot continually; Their rulers dearly love disgrace.
Verse 19
KJV The wind hath bound her up in her wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.
ASV The wind hath wrapped her up in its wings; and they shall be put to shame because of their sacrifices.
WEB The wind has wrapped her up in its wings; and they shall be disappointed because of their sacrifices.
YLT Distressed her hath wind with its wings, And they are ashamed of their sacrifices!
DRB The wind hath bound them up in its wings, and they shall be confounded because of their sacrifices.
DBY The wind hath wrapped her up in its wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.
GNV The winde hath bounde them vp in her wings, and they shalbe ashamed of their sacrifices.
LSB The wind binds them up in its wings, And they will be ashamed because of their sacrifices.