Hosea 12

1 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily multiplieth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

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 hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

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

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, in manhood he wrestled with God,

4 Yes, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication to him: he found him [in] Beth-el, and there he spoke with us;

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 Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD [is] his memorial.

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

6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

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

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

A merchant uses false scales: They love to defraud.

8 And Ephraim said, Yet I have become rich, I have found for myself substance: [in] all my labors they shall find no iniquity in me that [were] sin.

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 And I [that am] the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

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

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

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 into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept [sheep].

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

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

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

14 Ephraim provoked [him] to anger most bitterly: therefore will he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach will his Lord return to him.

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