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

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

YHWH 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.

He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with Elohim:

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

Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;

5 even Yahweh, the God of Armies. Yahweh is his name of renown!

Even YHWH Elohim of hosts; YHWH is his memorial.

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

Therefore turn thou to thy Elohim: keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy Elohim continually.

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

He is a merchant, 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, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

9 “But I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.

And I that am YHWH thy Elohim from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn 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.

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

Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

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

And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

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

And by a prophet YHWH brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

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

Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his master return unto him.