Hosea 12

1 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and pursueth after the east wind: all day long he multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

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.

2 Jehovah hath also a controversy with Judah, and he will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

Jehovah has also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways. He will recompense him according to his doings.

3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he wrestled with God.

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

4 Yea, he wrestled with the Angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us,

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.

5 — even Jehovah, the God of hosts, — Jehovah is his memorial.

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

6 And thou, return unto thy God: keep loving-kindness and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

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

7 [He is] a merchant, balances of deceit are in his hand; he loveth to oppress.

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

8 And Ephraim saith, Nevertheless I am become rich, I have found me out substance; in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

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.

9 But I [that am] Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt will again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.

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.

10 And I have spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and by means of the prophets have I used similitudes.

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

11 If Gilead is iniquity, surely they are but vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

Is Gilead iniquity? They are altogether false. In Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks. Yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the field.

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

And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

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

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

14 Ephraim provoked [him] to anger most bitterly; and his Lord shall leave his blood upon him, and recompense unto him his reproach.

Ephraim has provoked to anger most bitterly. Therefore his blood shall be left upon him, and his reproach his Lord shall return to him.