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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 feeds on the wind
    and chases after the east wind all day long.
    He multiplies lies and devastation.
They make a covenant with Assyria,
    and oil is carried to Egypt.

A History of Rebellion

The Lord has a dispute with Judah,
    and will punish Jacob according to his ways,
    and repay him according to his doings.
In the womb, he took his brother by the heel,
    and by his strength he strove with God.
He struggled with the angel, and prevailed;
    he wept, and sought favor from Him.
He found Him in Bethel,
    and there He spoke with us.
As for the Lord the God of Hosts,
    the Lord is the name by which He is invoked!
But as for you, return to your God,
    hold fast to mercy and justice,
    and wait on your God continually.

A merchant, in whose hands are deceitful balances,
    he loves to oppress.
Ephraim said,
    “Yet I am rich, I have found wealth for myself.
In all my labors, they shall find no offense in me
    that would be sin.”

I am the Lord your God
    from the land of Egypt.
I will again make you to dwell in tents,
    as in the days of the appointed feast.
10 I have spoken by the prophets,
    and I have multiplied visions,
    and through the prophets I will bring destruction.[a]

11 In Gilead there is iniquity;
    surely they will come to nothing.
In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls,
    so their altars will be like stone heaps
    in the furrows of the fields.
12 Jacob fled to the land of Aram,
    and Israel served for a wife,
    and for a wife he kept sheep.
13 By a prophet the Lord brought Israel up from Egypt,
    and by a prophet he was preserved.
14 Ephraim provoked Him to anger most bitterly,
    so his Lord shall leave his bloodguilt on him
    and repay him for his reproach.

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 12:10 Or speak in parables.