Hosea 12

1 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.

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.

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

The LORD also has a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him.

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

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

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

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—

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

even the LORD, the God of Armies. The LORD is his name of renown!

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

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

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

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

8 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.”

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.”

9 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.

“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.

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

I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.

11 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.

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.

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

Jacob fled into the country of Aram. Israel served to get a wife. For a wife he tended flocks and herds.

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

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

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

Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger. Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his Lord will repay his contempt.