Hosea 12

1 Ephraim feeds on wind, and follows after the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. And they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

Ephraim chases the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; he multiplies lies and violence; he makes a covenant with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.

2 Jehovah has also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways. He will recompense him according to his doings.

The LORD also brings a charge against Judah. He will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.

3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he had strength with God.

In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, and in his vigor he wrestled with God.

4 Yea, he had strength over the agent, and prevailed, as he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us.

Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor; he found Him at Bethel and spoke with Him there —

5 Even Jehovah, the God of hosts, Jehovah is his memorial.

the LORD is the God of Hosts— the LORD is His name of renown.

6 Therefore turn thou to thy God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait for thy God continually.

But you must return to your God, maintaining love and justice, and always waiting on your God.

7 He is a Canaanite. The balances of deceit are in his hand. He loves to oppress.

A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands.

8 And Ephraim said, Surely I have become rich. I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors they shall find no iniquity in me that is sin.

And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become! I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors, they can find in me no iniquity that is sinful.”

9 But I am Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.

But I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt. I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast.

10 I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions. And by the ministry of the prophets I have used similitudes.

I spoke through the prophets and multiplied their visions; I gave parables through the prophets.

11 Is Gilead iniquity? They are altogether false. In Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks. Yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the field.

Is there iniquity in Gilead? They will surely come to nothing. Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stones in the furrows of the field.

12 And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

Jacob fled to the land of Aram and Israel worked for a wife— for a wife he tended sheep.

13 And by a prophet Jehovah brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.

But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.

14 Ephraim has provoked to anger most bitterly. Therefore his blood shall be left upon him, and his reproach his Lord shall return to him.

Ephraim has provoked bitter anger, so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt upon him and repay him for his contempt.