1Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.2The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.3He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:4Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;5Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.6Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.7He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.8And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.9And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.10I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.11Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.12And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep .13And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.14Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.
Hosea 12
English Standard Version
1Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt. (2Ki 17:4; Jer 18:17; Ho 5:13; Ho 7:11; Ho 11:12; Ho 13:15)
The Lord’s Indictment of Israel and Judah
2The Lord has an indictment against Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways; he will repay him according to his deeds. (Ho 4:1)3In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God. (Ge 25:26; Ge 27:36)4He strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor. He met God[1] at Bethel, and there God spoke with us— (Ge 28:12; Ge 28:19; Ge 35:9; Ge 35:15)5the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord is his memorial name: (Ex 3:15)6“So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” (Ho 14:1; Joe 2:12; Mic 6:8)7A merchant, in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress. (Pr 11:1; Pr 20:23; Am 8:5; Mic 2:2; Mic 6:11)8Ephraim has said, “Ah, but I am rich; I have found wealth for myself; in all my labors they cannot find in me iniquity or sin.” (De 29:19; Zec 11:5; Re 3:17)9I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast. (Le 23:39; Ne 8:14; Ho 13:4)10I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets gave parables. (2Ki 17:13; Joe 2:28)11If there is iniquity in Gilead, they shall surely come to nothing: in Gilgal they sacrifice bulls; their altars also are like stone heaps on the furrows of the field. (Ho 4:15; Ho 6:8; Ho 8:11; Ho 9:15; Ho 10:4)12Jacob fled to the land of Aram; there Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he guarded sheep. (Ge 28:5; Ge 29:20; Ge 29:28)13By a prophet the Lord brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was guarded. (Ex 12:50; De 18:15; Ps 77:20; Isa 63:11)14Ephraim has given bitter provocation; so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him and will repay him for his disgraceful deeds. (2Ki 17:17; Ho 4:2; Ho 12:2)