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 the wind and follows after the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and violence. They make a covenant with Assyria and carry olive oil to 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.

Yahweh also has a lawsuit against Judah and will punish Jacob for what he has done; he will repay him for his deeds.

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

In the womb Jacob grasped his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he struggled with God.

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—

He struggled with the angel and won. He wept and begged for his favor. He met God at Bethel; there God spoke with him.

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

This is Yahweh, the God of hosts; “Yahweh” is his name to be called on.

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

So turn to your God. Keep covenantal faithfulness and justice, and wait continually for your God.

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

The merchants have false scales in their hands; they love to defraud.

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.”

Ephraim said, “I have certainly become very rich; I have found wealth for myself. In all my work they will not find any iniquity in me, anything that would be sin.”

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.

“I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt. I will again make you live in tents, as in the days of the appointed festival.

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 spoke to the prophets, and I gave them many visions for you. By the hand of the prophets I gave parables.”

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 there is wickedness in Gilead, surely the people are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls; their altars will be like heaps of stone 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.

Jacob fled to the land of Aram; Israel worked in order to get a wife; and he kept flocks of sheep to get a wife.

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

Yahweh brought Israel out of Egypt by a prophet, and by a prophet he took care of them.

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

Ephraim has bitterly angered Yahweh. So his Lord will leave his blood on him and will turn back on him his disgrace.