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 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.

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.

The LORD 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 in his manhood he contended with God.

In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and by his strength he strove with a godlike being;

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,

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;

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

But the LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD is His name.

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

Therefore turn thou to thy God; keep mercy and justice, and wait for thy God continually.

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

As for the trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand. He loveth to oppress.

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: 'Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth; in all my labours they shall find in me no iniquity that were sin.'

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 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.

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

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 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.

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 fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

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

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

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

Ephraim hath provoked most bitterly; therefore shall his blood be cast upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.