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

Israel’s Sin

12 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies,(A)
    Israel with deceit.
And Judah is unruly against God,
    even against the faithful(B) Holy One.[a](C)

12 [b]Ephraim(D) feeds on the wind;(E)
    he pursues the east wind all day
    and multiplies lies and violence.(F)
He makes a treaty with Assyria(G)
    and sends olive oil to Egypt.(H)
The Lord has a charge(I) to bring against Judah;(J)
    he will punish(K) Jacob[c] according to his ways
    and repay him according to his deeds.(L)

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 11:12 In Hebrew texts this verse (11:12) is numbered 12:1.
  2. Hosea 12:1 In Hebrew texts 12:1-14 is numbered 12:2-15.
  3. Hosea 12:2 Jacob means he grasps the heel, a Hebrew idiom for he takes advantage of or he deceives.