12 Ephraim surrounds me with lies,(A)
the house of Israel, with deceit.
Judah still wanders with God
and is faithful to the holy ones.[a]

God’s Case against Jacob’s Heirs

12 Ephraim chases[b] the wind(B)
and pursues the east wind.(C)
He continually multiplies lies and violence.
He makes a covenant with Assyria,(D)
and olive oil is carried to Egypt.(E)

The Lord also has a dispute with Judah.
He is about to punish Jacob according to his conduct;(F)
he will repay him based on his actions.

Footnotes

  1. 11:12 Hb obscure
  2. 12:1 Or grazes on, or tends

12 [a] Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,
        the house of Israel with faithless acts;
        but Judah still walks with God,
        and is faithful to the holy one.

God’s charge against Judah

12 [b] Ephraim herds the wind,
        and pursues the east wind all day long;
    they multiply lies and violence;
        they make a treaty with Assyria,
        and oil is carried to Egypt.
The Lord has a charge against Judah,
        and will punish Jacob according to his ways,
        and respond to him according to his deeds.

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 11:12 12:1 in Heb
  2. Hosea 12:1 12:2 in Heb