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 feeds on wind and follows burning heat; all day long he multiplies lies and desolation. And he has entered into a pact with the Assyrians, and he has carried oil into Egypt.

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

Therefore, the judgment of the Lord is with Judah and a visitation is upon Jacob. He will repay him according to his ways and according to his inventions.

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

In the womb, he supplanted his brother; for in his good fortune, he had been guided by an angel.

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—

And he prevailed over an angel, for he had been strengthened. He wept and petitioned him. He found him in Bethel, and there he has spoken to us.

5 even the LORD, the God of Hosts. The LORD is his name of renown!

And the Lord God of hosts, the Lord is his memorial.

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

And so, you should convert to your God. Keep mercy and judgment, and have hope in your God always.

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

Canaan, in his hand is a deceitful balance, he has chosen false accusations.

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 has said, “Nevertheless, I have become rich; I have found an idol for myself. All of my labors will not reveal to me the iniquity that I have committed.”

9 “But I am the LORD 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, the Lord your God from the land of Egypt, nevertheless will cause you to dwell in tabernacles, just as during 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 have spoken through the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and I have used parables through the hands 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.

If Gilead is an idol, then they have been sacrificing cattle in Gilgal to no purpose. For even their altars are like clutter on the soil of the field.

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

Jacob fled into the region of Syria, and Israel served like a wife, and was served by a wife.

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

Yet by a prophet the Lord led Israel out of Egypt, and he was served by a prophet.

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

Ephraim has provoked me to wrath with his bitterness, and his blood will overcome him, and his Lord will requite him for his shamefulness.