< 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 followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, 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.
Yhwh hath also a controversy with Judah, and 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 by his strength he had power 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 had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Beth–el, and there he spake with us;
5 But the LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD is His name.
Even Yhwh God of Armies; Yhwh is his memorial.
6 Therefore turn thou to thy God; keep mercy and justice, and wait for thy God continually.
Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy 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, the 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 said, Yet 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.
And I that am Yhwh thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, 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.
I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
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.
Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are 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 Yhwh 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: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.