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 herds the wind and hunts the sirocco. All day long they heap up falsehood and fraud, make a treaty with Assyria, and sends tribute of olive oil to 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 has a charge to bring against Israel, to punish Jacob for his acts, according to his deeds will he requite him,

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

In the womb he supplanted his brother, in manhood he wrestled 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 —

He wrestled with the angel and prevailed, he wept and sought his blessing. At Bethel the Lord found him, and there he spoke with us.

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

And the Lord is the God of hosts, the Lord is his name!

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

So now, by the help of your God, return. Keep true love and justice. Trust in your God without ceasing.

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

A merchant uses false scales: They love 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 says, ‘Yes, I have become rich, I have secured wealth for myself. But despite my gains no one will find a crime I can be convicted of!’

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.

I am the Lord your God, ever since the land of Egypt. I will make you again dwell in tents, as in days of old.

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

I spoke continually by the prophets. It was I who multiplied visions, and spoke in parables through the prophets.

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.

In Gilead is iniquity, they will come to nothing. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, so their altars will be as stone heaps, among 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.

And Jacob fled to the territory of Aram, and Israel worked to earn a wife: for a wife he herded sheep.

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

The Lord brought Israel up from Egypt by a prophet, and by a prophet Israel was guarded.

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

Ephraim has given bitter provocation. His Lord will leave upon him his guilt of bloodshed, and for his contempt he will repay him.