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 wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into 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 a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him.

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

In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he contended 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.

Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us—

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

even the LORD, 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.

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

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

A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves 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, “Surely I have become rich. I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won’t find in me any iniquity that is 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.

“But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.

10 I haue also spoken by the Prophets, and I haue multiplied visions, and vsed similitudes by the ministerie of the Prophets.

I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used 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 Gilead is wicked, surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Indeed, their altars are like heaps 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 into the country of Aram. Israel served to get a wife. For a wife he tended flocks and herds.

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

By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up 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 bitterly provoked anger. Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his Lord will repay his contempt.