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12 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.
Yahweh also has a controversy with Judah,
    and will punish Jacob according to his ways;
    according to his deeds he will repay him.
In the womb he took his brother by the heel;
    and in his manhood he contended with God.
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,
    even Yahweh, the God of Armies;
    Yahweh is his name of renown!
Therefore turn to your God.
    Keep kindness and justice,
    and wait continually for your God.

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

“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.
10 I have also spoken to the prophets,
    and I have multiplied visions;
    and by the ministry of the prophets I have used 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.
12 Jacob fled into the country of Aram,
    and Israel served to get a wife,
    and for a wife he tended flocks and herds.
13 By a prophet Yahweh brought Israel up out of Egypt,
    and by a prophet he was preserved.
14 Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger.
    Therefore his blood will be left on him,
    and his Lord[a] will repay his contempt.

Footnotes

  1. 12:14 The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.”

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