Hosea 12 | New International Reader’s Version

1 The people of Ephraim look to others for help. It’s like chasing the wind. The wind they keep chasing is hot and dry. They tell more and more lies. They are always hurting others. They make a peace treaty with Assyria. They send olive oil to Egypt to get help. 2 The LORD is bringing charges against Judah. He will punish Jacob’s people because of how they act. He’ll pay them back for the evil things they’ve done. 3 Even before Jacob was born, he was holding on to his brother’s heel. When he became a man, he struggled with God. 4 At Peniel he struggled with the angel and won. Jacob wept and begged for his blessing. God also met with him at Bethel. He talked with him there. 5 He is the LORD God who rules over all. His name is the LORD. 6 People of Jacob, you must return to your God. You must hold on to love and do what is fair. You must trust in your God always. 7 You are like a trader who uses dishonest scales. You love to cheat others. 8 People of Ephraim, you boast, ‘We are very rich. We’ve become wealthy. And no one can prove we sinned to gain all this wealth.’ 9 The LORD says, ‘I have been the LORD your God ever since you came out of Egypt. But I will make you live in tents again. That is what you did when you celebrated the Feast of Booths in the desert. 10 I spoke to the prophets. They saw many visions. I gave you warnings through them.’ 11 The people of Gilead are evil! They aren’t worth anything! Gilgal’s people sacrifice bulls to other gods. Their altars will become like piles of stones on a ploughed field. 12 Jacob ran away to the country of Aram. There Israel served Laban to get a wife. He took care of sheep to pay for her. 13 The prophet Moses brought Israel up from Egypt. The LORD used him to take care of them. 14 But Ephraim’s people have made the LORD very angry. Their Lord will hold them accountable for the blood they’ve spilled. He’ll pay them back for the shameful things they’ve done.

English Standard Version

1 Ephraim 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.

The Lord’s Indictment of Israel and Judah

2 The Lord has an indictment against Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways; he will repay him according to his deeds. 3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God. 4 He strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor. He met God* at Bethel, and there God spoke with us— 5 the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord is his memorial name: 6 “So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” 7 A merchant, in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress. 8 Ephraim 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.” 9 I 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. 10 I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets gave parables. 11 If 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. 12 Jacob fled to the land of Aram; there Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he guarded sheep. 13 By a prophet the Lord brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was guarded. 14 Ephraim has given bitter provocation; so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him and will repay him for his disgraceful deeds.

Hosea 12 | New International Reader’s Version English Standard Version

The Lord’s Indictment of Israel and Judah