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 feedeth on the wind, and followeth the burning heat: all the day long he multiplied lies and desolation: and he hath made a covenant with the Assyrians, and carried oil into 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.

Therefore there is a judgment of the Lord with Juda, and a visitation for Jacob: he will render to him according to his ways, and according to his devices.

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

In the womb he supplanted his brother: and by his strength he had success with an angel.

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.

And he prevailed over the angel, and was strengthened: he wept, and made supplication to him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us.

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

Even the Lord the God of hosts, the Lord is his memorial.

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

Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and hope in thy God always.

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

He is like Chanaan, there is a deceitful balance in his hand, he hath loved oppression.

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 said: But yet I am become rich, I have found me an idol: all my labours shall not find me the iniquity that I have committed.

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.

And I that am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, will yet cause thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the 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.

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

If Galaad be an idol, then in vain were they in Galgal offering sacrifices with bullocks: for their altars also are as heaps 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 into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and was a keeper for a wife.

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

But the Lord by a prophet brought Israel out of Egypt: and he was preserved by a prophet.

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 hath provoked me to wrath with his bitterness, and his blood shall come upon him, and his Lord will render his reproach unto him.