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 wind, and followeth after the east wind; Every day he multiplieth falsehood and violence; They make a league with Assyria, And oil is carried 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 Jehovah hath a controversy with Judah. And he will punish Jacob for his ways, And requite him according to his doings.

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

In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his strength he contended 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.

Yea, he contended with the angel, and prevailed; He wept, and made supplication to him. At Bethel he found him, And there he spake with us.

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

And Jehovah, the God of hosts, Jehovah is his name.

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

Therefore turn thou to thy God; Observe mercy and justice, 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 a Canaanite; in his hands are the balances of deceit; He loveth to oppress.

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.

Yet Ephraim saith, Lo, I have become rich; I have found myself substance; In all my earnings can be found no transgression in which there is guilt.

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.

Yet I, Jehovah, have been thy God from the land of Egypt; I will again cause thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn 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 have also spoken to the prophets, And I have given many visions, And by the prophets I have used similitudes.

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.

Behold, Gilead is full of iniquity; Surely they have become corrupt; In Gilgal they sacrifice oxen, And their altars are like the 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 for a wife he kept sheep.

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

By a prophet Jehovah brought up Israel out of Egypt, And by a prophet was he 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 hath provoked his Lord most bitterly; Therefore will he leave his blood upon him, And recompense to him his reproach.