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 feeds on the wind and follows after the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and violence. They make a covenant with Assyria and carry 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.

Yahweh also has a lawsuit against Judah and will punish Jacob for what he has done; he will repay him for 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 Jacob grasped his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he struggled 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 struggled with the angel and won. He wept and begged for his favor. He met God at Bethel; there God spoke with him.

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

This is Yahweh, the God of hosts; “Yahweh” is his name to be called on.

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

So turn to your God. Keep covenantal faithfulness and justice, and wait continually for your God.

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

The merchants have false scales in their hands; they love to defraud.

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 said, “I have certainly become very rich; I have found wealth for myself. In all my work they will not find any iniquity in me, anything that would be sin.”

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.

“I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt. I will again make you live in tents, as in the days of the appointed 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 to the prophets, and I gave them many visions for you. By the hand of the prophets I gave parables.”

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 there is wickedness in Gilead, surely the people are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls; their altars will be like heaps of stone in the furrows of the fields.

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 in order to get a wife; and he kept flocks of sheep to get a wife.

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

Yahweh brought Israel out of Egypt by a prophet, and by a prophet he took care of them.

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 bitterly angered Yahweh. So his Lord will leave his blood on him and will turn back on him his disgrace.