Hosea 12

1 Ephraim is fed with the winde, and followeth after the East winde: hee increaseth daily lies and destruction, and they do make a couenant with Asshur, and oyle is caried 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 The Lord hath also a controuersie with Iudah, and will visite Iaakob, according to his waies: according to his workes, wil he recompence him.

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

3 Hee tooke his brother by the heele in the wombe, and by his strength he had power with God,

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

4 And had power ouer the Angel, and preuailed: he wept and praied vnto him: he founde him in Beth-el, and there he spake with vs.

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 Yea, the Lord God of hostes, the Lord is himselfe his memoriall.

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

6 Therefore turne thou to thy God: keepe mercy and iudgement, and hope still in thy God.

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

7 He is Canaan: the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loueth to oppresse.

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

8 And Ephraim saide, Notwithstanding I am rich, I haue found me out riches in all my labours: they shall finde none iniquitie in me, that were wickednesse.

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 Though I am the Lord thy God, from the land of Egypt, yet will I make thee to dwel in the tabernacles, as in the daies of the solemne 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 I haue also spoken by the Prophets, and I haue multiplied visions, and vsed similitudes by the ministerie of the Prophets.

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

11 Is there iniquitie in Gilead? surely they are vanitie: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal, and their altars are as heapes in the furrowes 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 And Iaakob fled into the countrey of Aram, and Israel serued for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheepe.

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

13 And by a Prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a Prophet was he reserued.

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

14 But Ephraim prouoked him with hie places: therefore shall his blood be powred vpon him, and his reproche shall his Lord reward him.

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