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People curse one another.
    They tell lies and commit murder.
    They steal and commit adultery.
They break all my laws.
    They keep spilling the blood of other people.
That is why the land is drying up.
    All those who live in it
    are getting weaker and weaker.
The wild animals and the birds in the sky are dying.
    So are the fish in the ocean.

“But you priests should not blame the people.
    You should not find fault with one another.
After all, your people
    could also bring charges against you.

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There is only cursing,[a] lying(A) and murder,(B)
    stealing(C) and adultery;(D)
they break all bounds,
    and bloodshed follows bloodshed.(E)
Because of this the land dries up,(F)
    and all who live in it waste away;(G)
the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky
    and the fish in the sea are swept away.(H)

“But let no one bring a charge,
    let no one accuse another,
for your people are like those
    who bring charges against a priest.(I)

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 4:2 That is, to pronounce a curse on