Hosea 12

1 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.

Ephraim tries to herd the wind, chasing after the east wind all day long. Their lies and violence keep on increasing. They make a treaty with Assyria, and send olive oil to Egypt.

2 Jehovah also has a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways and according to his deeds he will repay him.

The Lord also has an accusation against Judah, and will punish Jacob for the way the people act; he will repay them for what they have done.

3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he contended with God.

Even in the womb he fought with his brother; when he became a man he fought with God.

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

He fought with the angel, and he won. He wept, and begged him for a blessing. Jacob found God at Bethel, and spoke with him there—

5 even Jehovah, the God of hosts; Jehovah is his name of renown.

the Lord God Almighty, the Lord is his memorable name!

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

You must return to your God. Act lovingly and do what is right, and always wait for your God.

7 A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.

A merchant who holds in his hands dishonest scales loves to swindle.

8 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."

Ephraim says, “I'm rich! I've made myself wealthy! I've made so much from my work, and nobody can prove me guilty of doing wrong.”

9 "But I Jehovah your God brought you up from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.

But I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt. I will make you live again in tents like you do at the time of that particular festival.

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

I spoke through the prophets. I myself gave many visions and parables through the prophets.

11 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.

If Gilead is idolatrous, they will surely come to nothing. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Even their altars are like heaps of rocks in the furrows of the field.

12 Jacob fled into the country of Aram, and Israel served to get a wife, and for a wife he tended flocks and herds.

Jacob fled to the land of Aram; Israel worked there to gain a wife, earning a wife by looking after sheep.

13 By a prophet Jehovah brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.

Through a prophet the Lord brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet they were cared for.

14 Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger. Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his Lord will repay his contempt.

Ephraim has really upset the Lord, and the Lord will let them have the consequences of their bloodshed and pay them back for their contempt.