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 tries to herd the wind, chasing after the east wind all day long. Their lies and violence keep on increasing. They make a treaty with Assyria, and send 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 has an accusation against Judah, and will punish Jacob for the way the people act; he will repay them for what they have done.

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

Even in the womb he fought with his brother; when he became a man he fought 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.

He fought with the angel, and he won. He wept, and begged him for a blessing. Jacob found God at Bethel, and spoke with him there—

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

the Lord God Almighty, the Lord is his memorable name!

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

You must return to your God. Act lovingly and do what is right, and always wait for your God.

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

A merchant who holds in his hands dishonest scales loves to swindle.

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.

Ephraim says, “I'm rich! I've made myself wealthy! I've made so much from my work, and nobody can prove me guilty of doing wrong.”

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 who brought you out of the land of Egypt. I will make you live again in tents like you do at the time of that particular festival.

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. I myself gave many visions and 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.

If Gilead is idolatrous, they will surely come to nothing. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Even their altars are like heaps of rocks 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; Israel worked there to gain a wife, earning a wife by looking after sheep.

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

Through a prophet the Lord brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet they were cared for.

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 really upset the Lord, and the Lord will let them have the consequences of their bloodshed and pay them back for their contempt.