Hosea 12

1 Ephraim feeds on wind, and follows after the east wind: he daily increases lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

Efraim lægger sig efter Vind og jager efter Østenvejr, den hele Dag formerer han Løgn og Voldsgerning; og de slutte Pagt med Assyrien, og Olie føres til Ægypten.

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

Og Herren har Trætte med Juda, og han er rede til at hjemsøge Jakob efter hans Veje og betale ham efter hans Idrætter.

3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

I Moders Liv holdt han sin Broder om Hælen, og i sin Manddoms Kraft kæmpede han med Gud.

4 Yes, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication to him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us;

Ja, han kæmpede med en Engel og sejrede, han græd og bad ham om Naade; han fandt ham i Bethel, og der talte han med os.

5 Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.

Og Herren, Hærskarernes Gud — „Herren‟ er hans Ihukommelses Navn.

6 Therefore turn you to your God: keep mercy and judgment and wait on your God continually.

Og du, du skal omvende dig til din Gud; bevar Miskundhed og Ret, og vent stedse paa din Gud!

7 He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loves to oppress.

I Kanaans Haand er der Falskheds Vægtskaale; han har Lyst til at forfordele.

8 And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labors they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

Og Efraim sagde: Jeg er dog bleven rig, jeg har vundet mig Formue; alle mine Arbejder paadrage mig ingen Overtrædelse, som maatte være Synd.

9 And I that am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt will yet make you to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

Men jeg er Herren din Gud fra Ægyptens Land af: Jeg vil endnu lade dig bo i Telte som paa Højtidens Dage.

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

Og jeg har talt til Profeterne, og jeg har givet mange Syner, og ved Profeterne fremsatte jeg Lignelser.

11 Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yes, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

Er Gilead Uretfærdighed, saa skulle de blive aldeles til intet; de have ofret Øksne i Gilgal, derfor skulle ogsaa deres Altre vorde som Stenhobe ved Furerne paa Marken.

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

Og Jakob flyede til Arams Land, og Israel tjente for en Hustru; ja, for en Hustru maatte han være Hyrde.

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

Og ved en Profet førte Herren Israel op af Ægypten, og ved en Profet blev det bevaret.

14 Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood on him, and his reproach shall his LORD return to him.

Efraim har vakt bitter Harme; men hans Herre skal lade hans Blodskyld blive paa ham og betale ham hans Forhaanelse.