"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.'
Gilgal and Bethaven were locations of the more prominent pagan shrines; and it was understandable that Hosea forbade Judah to have anything to do with them, but it is a little surprising, at first glance, that the prohibition against swearing by Jehovah should have been included; but this is actually the prophet's warning that swearing, As Jehovah liveth, could not justify the shameless "worship" that was indulged at such places.  This swearing by Jehovah was a device for lulling the conscience to sleep, and Hosea uttered the Word of God against it.  As Keil put it,