Hosea 12:1-8

New American Standard Bible 1995

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.
² 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.
³ In the womb he ^(E)took his brother by the heel,
And in his maturity he ^(F)contended with God.
⁴ 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,
⁵ Even the Lord, the God of hosts,
The Lord is His ^[c](I)name.
⁶ Therefore, ^(J)return to your God,
^(K)Observe ^[d]kindness and justice,
And ^(L)wait for your God continually.
⁷ A ^[e]merchant, in whose hands are false ^(M)balances,
He loves to oppress.
⁸ 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.”