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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.”

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 brought to Egypt.
The Lord also has a (C)case against 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 mature strength he (F)contended with God.
Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed;
He wept and (G)implored His favor.
He found Him at (H)Bethel,
And there He spoke with us,
And the Lord, the God of armies,
The Lord is His [c](I)name.
So as for you, (J)return to your God,
(K)Maintain [d]kindness and justice,
And (L)wait for your God continually.
A [e]merchant, in whose hands are fraudulent (M)balances,
Loves to exploit.
And Ephraim said, “I have certainly become (N)rich,
I have found wealth for myself;
In all my labors they will find in me
(O)No wrongdoing, 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]provided many visions,
And through the prophets I spoke in (R)parables.
11 Is there injustice in Gilead?
Certainly they are worthless.
In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls,
Yes, (S)their altars are like stone heaps
Beside the furrows of a 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 up from Egypt,
And by a prophet he was protected.
14 (W)Ephraim has provoked God to bitter anger;
So his Lord will leave his (X)guilt for bloodshed on him
And bring his (Y)disgrace back to him.

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 12:1 Ch 12:2 in Heb
  2. Hosea 12:1 Lit they make
  3. Hosea 12:5 Lit invocation
  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