Hosea 12

1 Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. 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 The LORD also has a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him.

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 contended with God.

In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his strength he contended with God;

4 Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; 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 the LORD, the God of Armies. The LORD is his name of renown!

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

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

Therefore turn thou to thy God; Observe mercy and justice, And hope in thy God always!

7 A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.

He is a Canaanite; in his hands are the balances of deceit; He loveth to oppress.

8 Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich. I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity 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 the LORD your God from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you 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 parables.

I have also spoken to the prophets, And I have given many visions, And by the prophets I have used similitudes.

11 If Gilead is wicked, surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Indeed, their altars are like 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 Jacob fled into the country of Aram. Israel served to get a wife. For a wife he tended flocks and herds.

Jacob fled into the country of Syria, And Israel served for a wife, And for a wife he kept sheep.

13 By a prophet the LORD 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 bitterly provoked anger. Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his Lord will repay his contempt.

Ephraim hath provoked his Lord most bitterly; Therefore will he leave his blood upon him, And recompense to him his reproach.