Hosea — Chapter 12

1Ephraim 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.

2The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

3He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

4Yea, 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;

5Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.

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

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

8And 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.

9And 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.

10I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

11Is 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.

12And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

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

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

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

2Jehovah hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

3In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he had power with God:

4yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him at Beth-el, and there he spake with us,

5even Jehovah, the God of hosts; Jehovah is his memorial [name].

6Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep kindness and justice, and wait for thy God continually.

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

8And Ephraim said, Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth: in all my labors they shall find in me no iniquity that were sin.

9But I am Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt; I will yet again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.

10I have also spoken unto the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes.

11Is Gilead iniquity? they are altogether false; in Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the field.

12And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept [sheep].

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

14Ephraim hath provoked to anger most bitterly: therefore shall his blood be left upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

1Ephraim continually feeds on the wind; he chases the east wind all day; he multiplies lies and violence. They make treaties with Assyria and send olive oil as tribute to Egypt.

2The Lord also has a covenant lawsuit against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.

3In the womb he attacked his brother; in his manly vigor he struggled with God.

4He struggled with an angel and prevailed; he wept and begged for his favor. He found God at Bethel, and there he spoke with him!

5As for the Lord God Almighty, the Lord is the name by which he is remembered!

6But you must return to your God, by maintaining love and justice and by waiting for your God to return to you.

7The businessmen love to cheat; they use dishonest scales.

8Ephraim boasts, “I am very rich! I have become wealthy! In all that I have done to gain my wealth, no one can accuse me of any offense that is actually sinful.”

9“I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again as in the days of old.

10I spoke to the prophets; I myself revealed many visions; I spoke in parables through the prophets.”

11Is there idolatry in Gilead? Certainly its inhabitants will come to nothing! Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Surely their altars will be like stones heaped up on a plowed field!

12Jacob fled to the country of Aram, then Israel worked to acquire a wife; he tended sheep to pay for her.

13The Lord brought Israel out of Egypt by a prophet, and due to a prophet Israel was preserved alive.

14But Ephraim bitterly provoked him to anger; so he will hold him accountable for the blood he has shed; his Lord will repay him for the contempt he has shown.

1Ephraim 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.

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

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

4Indeed, 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,

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

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

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

8Ephraim 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.”

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.

10I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.

11If Gilead is wicked, surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Indeed, their altars are like heaps in the furrows of the field.

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

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

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