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.

Ephraim feedeth on the wind, and followeth the burning heat: all the day long he multiplied lies and desolation: and he hath made a covenant with the Assyrians, and carried oil into Egypt.

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.

Therefore there is a judgment of the Lord with Juda, and a visitation for Jacob: he will render to him according to his ways, and according to his devices.

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

In the womb he supplanted his brother: and by his strength he had success with an angel.

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;

And he prevailed over the angel, and was strengthened: he wept, and made supplication to him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us.

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

Even the Lord the God of hosts, the Lord is his memorial.

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

Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and hope in thy God always.

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

He is like Chanaan, there is a deceitful balance in his hand, he hath loved oppression.

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.

And Ephraim said: But yet I am become rich, I have found me an idol: all my labours shall not find me the iniquity that I have committed.

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.

And I that am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, will yet cause thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the feast.

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

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

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.

If Galaad be an idol, then in vain were they in Galgal offering sacrifices with bullocks: for their altars also are as heaps in the furrows of the field.

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

Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and was a keeper for a wife.

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

But the Lord by a prophet brought Israel out of Egypt: and he was preserved by a prophet.

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.

Ephraim hath provoked me to wrath with his bitterness, and his blood shall come upon him, and his Lord will render his reproach unto him.