Parallel Verses
New American Standard Bible
They play the harlot continually;
King James Version
Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love, Give ye.
Holman Bible
they turn to promiscuity.
Israel’s leaders
International Standard Version
While drinking to excess, they prostitute themselves. They're in love with dishonor.
A Conservative Version
Their drink has become sour. They play the harlot continually. Her rulers dearly love shame.
American Standard Version
Their drink is become sour; they play the harlot continually; her rulers dearly love shame.
Amplified
When their liquor is gone [and their drinking parties are over],
They habitually go to play the prostitute;
Ephraim’s rulers continue to dearly love shame [more than her glory which is the Lord, Israel’s God].
Bible in Basic English
Their drink has become bitter; they are completely false; her rulers take pleasure in shame.
Darby Translation
Their drink is sour; they give themselves up to whoredom; her great men passionately love their shame.
Julia Smith Translation
Their drinking bout departed: committing fornication, they committed fornication: they loved, give ye shame upon her shields.
King James 2000
Their drink is sour: they have committed harlotry continually: her rulers love shame more than glory.
Lexham Expanded Bible
When their drinking has ended, they surely indulge in sexual orgies. They love lewdness more than their glory.
Modern King James verseion
Their drink is sour; they are continually fornicating; her rulers dearly love shame.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Their drunkenness hath put them back, and brought them to whoredom. Their rulers love rewards; "Bring," say they, to their own shame.
NET Bible
They consume their alcohol, then engage in cult prostitution; they dearly love their shameful behavior.
New Heart English Bible
Their drink has become sour. They play the prostitute continually. Her rulers dearly love their shameful way.
The Emphasized Bible
Their drinking-bout, having passed, - they became, unchaste, they loved wildly, a contempt, became her great men.
Webster
Their drink is sour: they have been guilty of lewd deeds continually: her rulers with shame do love, Give ye.
World English Bible
Their drink has become sour. They play the prostitute continually. Her rulers dearly love their shameful way.
Youngs Literal Translation
Sour is their drink, They have gone diligently a-whoring, Her protectors have loved shame thoroughly.
Interlinear
Zanah
Word Count of 20 Translations in Hosea 4:18
Verse Info
Context Readings
God's Case Against The People
17
Ephraim is joined to idols. Leave him alone.
18
They play the harlot continually;
Cross References
Micah 3:11
The leaders judge for a bribe, and the priests teach for wages! The prophets predict for money yet they rely on Jehovah when they say: Is not Jehovah in the midst of us? No evil will come upon us.
Exodus 23:8
Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe makes the discerning blind to what is right and perverts the words of the righteous.
Deuteronomy 16:19
Never pervert justice. Always be impartial. Never take a bribe, because bribes blind wise people and deny justice to those who are in the right.
Deuteronomy 32:32-33
Their vine is like the vine of Sodom. Their fields are like Gomorrah. Their grapes are grapes of anger. Their clusters are bitter.
1 Samuel 8:3
The sons did not follow their father's example but turned to dishonest ways of making money. They took bribes and denied people justice.
1 Samuel 12:3-4
Here I am! Testify against me before Jehovah and before his anointed one. Whose bull have I stolen? Whose donkey have I taken? Have I cheated anyone? Have I oppressed any? Have I ever taken a bribe? Tell me and I will make it right.
2 Kings 17:7-17
The wrath (intense anger) of Jehovah came on Israel because they had done evil against Jehovah their God, who took them out of the land of Egypt from under the yoke of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. They worshipped other gods.
Psalm 47:9
The princes of the people have assembled as the people of the God of Abraham. For the rulers (shields) (protectors) of the earth belong to God! He has ascended to the heights.
Proverbs 30:15-16
The leach has two daughters. Each cry: Give, Give! There are three things that are never satisfied, yes; even four things never say: It is enough!
Isaiah 1:21-22
How the faithful town has become a prostitute! She was full of justice, and righteousness lived in her. But now murderers live there!
Jeremiah 2:21
I planted you like a choice grapevine from the very best seed. Now you have turned against me and have become a wild vine.
Hosea 4:2
They do nothing but swear, deceive, kill, steal and commit adultery! There is violence and bloodshed in the land.
Hosea 4:10
They will eat, and not have enough! They will play the harlot, and will not increase! They do not listen to Jehovah.
Amos 5:12
I know you have many transgressions and your sins are great. You afflict the righteous. You take bribes. You refuse to help the needy at the gate.
Micah 7:3
They diligently seek to do evil with their hands. The prince asks and the judge is ready for a bribe. The great man utters his own evil desire. They weave it together.