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12 Israel surrounds me with lies and deceit, but Judah still trusts in God and is faithful to the Holy One.

12 Israel is chasing the wind, yes, shepherding a whirlwind—a dangerous game![a] For she has given gifts to Egypt and Assyria to get their help, and in return she gets their worthless promises.

But the Lord is bringing a lawsuit against Judah. Jacob will be justly punished for his ways.

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 12:1 a dangerous game, implied.

Israel’s Sin

12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,(A)
    Israel with deceit.
And Judah is unruly against God,
    even against the faithful(B) Holy One.[a](C)

12 [b]Ephraim(D) feeds on the wind;(E)
    he pursues the east wind all day
    and multiplies lies and violence.(F)
He makes a treaty with Assyria(G)
    and sends olive oil to Egypt.(H)
The Lord has a charge(I) to bring against Judah;(J)
    he will punish(K) Jacob[c] according to his ways
    and repay him according to his deeds.(L)

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 11:12 In Hebrew texts this verse (11:12) is numbered 12:1.
  2. Hosea 12:1 In Hebrew texts 12:1-14 is numbered 12:2-15.
  3. Hosea 12:2 Jacob means he grasps the heel, a Hebrew idiom for he takes advantage of or he deceives.