Hosea 12

1 Ephraim feedeth on the wind, and followeth the burning heat: all the day long he multiplied lies and desolation: and he hath made a covenant with the Assyrians, and carried oil into Egypt.

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.

2 Therefore there is a judgment of the Lord with Juda, and a visitation for Jacob: he will render to him according to his ways, and according to his devices.

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

3 In the womb he supplanted his brother: and by his strength he had success with an angel.

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

4 And he prevailed over the angel, and was strengthened: he wept, and made supplication to him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us.

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

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

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

6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and hope in thy God always.

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

7 He is like Chanaan, there is a deceitful balance in his hand, he hath loved oppression.

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

8 And Ephraim said: But yet I am become rich, I have found me an idol: all my labours shall not find me the iniquity that I have committed.

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.”

9 And I that am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, will yet cause thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the feast.

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.

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

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

11 If Galaad be an idol, then in vain were they in Galgal offering sacrifices with bullocks: for their altars also are as heaps in the furrows of the field.

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.

12 Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and was a keeper for a wife.

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

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

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

14 Ephraim hath provoked me to wrath with his bitterness, and his blood shall come upon him, and his Lord will render his reproach unto him.

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