Hosea 12

1 Ephraim herds the wind and hunts the sirocco. All day long they heap up falsehood and fraud, make a treaty with Assyria, and sends tribute of olive oil to Egypt.

2 The Lord has a charge to bring against Israel, to punish Jacob for his acts, according to his deeds will he requite him,

3 In the womb he supplanted his brother, in manhood he wrestled with God,

4 He wrestled with the angel and prevailed, he wept and sought his blessing. At Bethel the Lord found him, and there he spoke with us.

5 And the Lord is the God of hosts, the Lord is his name!

6 So now, by the help of your God, return. Keep true love and justice. Trust in your God without ceasing.

7 A merchant uses false scales: They love to defraud.

8 Ephraim says, ‘Yes, I have become rich, I have secured wealth for myself. But despite my gains no one will find a crime I can be convicted of!’

9 I am the Lord your God, ever since the land of Egypt. I will make you again dwell in tents, as in days of old.

10 I spoke continually by the prophets. It was I who multiplied visions, and spoke in parables through the prophets.

11 In Gilead is iniquity, they will come to nothing. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, so their altars will be as stone heaps, among the furrows of the field.

12 And Jacob fled to the territory of Aram, and Israel worked to earn a wife: for a wife he herded sheep.

13 The Lord brought Israel up from Egypt by a prophet, and by a prophet Israel was guarded.

14 Ephraim has given bitter provocation. His Lord will leave upon him his guilt of bloodshed, and for his contempt he will repay him.