Hosea 12

1 Ephraim striveth after wind, and followeth after the east wind; all the day he multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

Ephraim feedeth on wind, and pursueth after the east wind: all day long he multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

2 The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways, according to his doings will He recompense him.

Jehovah hath also a controversy with Judah, and he will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and by his strength he strove with a godlike being;

He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he wrestled with God.

4 So he strove with an angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him; at Beth-el he would find him, and there he would speak with us;

Yea, he wrestled with the Angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us,

5 But the LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD is His name.

— even Jehovah, the God of hosts, — Jehovah is his memorial.

6 Therefore turn thou to thy God; keep mercy and justice, and wait for thy God continually.

And thou, return unto thy God: keep loving-kindness and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

7 As for the trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand. He loveth to oppress.

[He is] a merchant, balances of deceit are in his hand; he loveth to oppress.

8 And Ephraim said: 'Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth; in all my labours they shall find in me no iniquity that were sin.'

And Ephraim saith, Nevertheless I am become rich, I have found me out substance; in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

9 But I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt; I will yet again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed season.

But I [that am] Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt will again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.

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

And I have spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and by means of the prophets have I used similitudes.

11 If Gilead be given to iniquity becoming altogether vanity, in Gilgal they sacrifice unto bullocks; yea, their altars shall be as heaps in the furrows of the field.

If Gilead is iniquity, surely they are but vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

12 And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept [sheep].

13 And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he kept.

And by a prophet Jehovah brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

14 Ephraim hath provoked most bitterly; therefore shall his blood be cast upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

Ephraim provoked [him] to anger most bitterly; and his Lord shall leave his blood upon him, and recompense unto him his reproach.