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.

But Ephraim is an evil spirit, he has chased the east wind all the day: he has multiplied empty and vain things, and made a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil has gone in the way of traffic into Egypt.

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

And the Lord [has] a controversy with Juda, in order to punish Jacob: according to his ways and according to his practices will he recompense him.

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

He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his labours he had power 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,

And he prevailed with the angel and was strong: they wept, and entreated me: they found me in the house of On, and there [a word] was spoken to them.

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

But the Lord God Almighty shall be his memorial.

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

You therefore shall return to your God: keep you mercy and judgement, and draw near to your God continually.

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

[As for] Chanaan, in his hand is a balance of unrighteousness: he has loved to tyrannize.

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."

And Ephraim said, Nevertheless I am rich, I have found refreshment to myself. None of his labours shall be found [available] to him, by reason of the sins which he has committed.

9 "But I YHWH 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 the Lord your God brought you up out of the land of Egypt: I will yet cause you to dwell in tabernacles, according to the days of the feast.

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

And I will speak to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and by the means of the prophets I was represented.

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 Galaad exists not, then the chiefs in Galaad when they sacrificed were false, and their altars were as heaps on the ground 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.

And Jacob retreated into the plain of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and waited for a wife.

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

And the Lord brought Israel out of the land of Egypt by a prophet, and by a prophet was he preserve.

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

Ephraim was angry and excited, therefore his blood shall be poured out upon him, and the Lord shall recompense to him his reproach.