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12 Ephraim 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. Jehovah hath also a controversy with Judah, and will [a]punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him. In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his [b]manhood he [c]had power with God: yea, 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, [d]even Jehovah, the God of hosts; Jehovah is his memorial name. Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep kindness and justice, and wait for thy God continually.

[e]He is [f]a trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to [g]oppress. And 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. But 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. 10 I have also spoken unto the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and [h]by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes. 11 Is Gilead iniquity? they are altogether false; in Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks; yea, their altars [i]are as heaps in the furrows of the field. 12 And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep. 13 And by a prophet Jehovah brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he [j]preserved. 14 Ephraim hath provoked to anger most bitterly: therefore shall his blood be left upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 12:2 Hebrew visit upon.
  2. Hosea 12:3 Or, strength
  3. Hosea 12:3 Or, strove
  4. Hosea 12:5 Or, for Jehovah is the God of hosts
  5. Hosea 12:7 Or, As for Canaan, the etc.
  6. Hosea 12:7 Or, a Canaanite. Hebrew Canaan.
  7. Hosea 12:7 Or, defraud
  8. Hosea 12:10 Hebrew by the hand.
  9. Hosea 12:11 Or, shall be
  10. Hosea 12:13 Or, kept

Ephraim Reminded

12 [a]Ephraim feeds on (A)wind,
And pursues the (B)east wind continually;
He multiplies lies and violence.
Moreover, [b]he makes a covenant with Assyria,
And oil is carried to Egypt.
The Lord also has a (C)dispute with Judah,
And will punish Jacob (D)according to his ways;
He will repay him according to his deeds.
In the womb he (E)took his brother by the heel,
And in his maturity he (F)contended with God.
Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed;
He wept and (G)sought His favor.
He found Him at (H)Bethel
And there He spoke with us,
Even the Lord, the God of hosts,
The Lord is His [c](I)name.
Therefore, (J)return to your God,
(K)Observe [d]kindness and justice,
And (L)wait for your God continually.
A [e]merchant, in whose hands are false (M)balances,
He loves to oppress.
And Ephraim said, “Surely I have become (N)rich,
I have found wealth for myself;
In all my labors they will find in me
(O)No iniquity, which would be sin.”
But I have been the Lord your God since the land of Egypt;
I will make you (P)live in tents again,
As in the days of the appointed festival.
10 I have also spoken to the (Q)prophets,
And I [f]gave numerous visions,
And through the prophets I gave (R)parables.
11 Is there iniquity in Gilead?
Surely they are worthless.
In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls,
Yes, (S)their altars are like the stone heaps
Beside the furrows of the field.

12 Now (T)Jacob fled to the [g]land of Aram,
And (U)Israel worked for a wife,
And for a wife he kept sheep.
13 But by a (V)prophet the Lord brought Israel from Egypt,
And by a prophet he was kept.
14 (W)Ephraim has provoked to bitter anger;
So his Lord will leave his (X)bloodguilt on him
And bring back his (Y)reproach to him.

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 12:1 Ch 12:2 in Heb
  2. Hosea 12:1 Lit they make
  3. Hosea 12:5 Lit memorial
  4. Hosea 12:6 Or loyalty
  5. Hosea 12:7 Or Canaanite
  6. Hosea 12:10 Lit multiplied the vision
  7. Hosea 12:12 Lit field