Hosea 12

1 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and pursueth after the east wind: all day long he multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

Ephraim herds the wind and hunts the sirocco. All day long they heap up falsehood and fraud, make a treaty with Assyria, and sends tribute of olive oil to Egypt.

2 Jehovah hath also a controversy with Judah, and he will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

The Lord has a charge to bring against Israel, to punish Jacob for his acts, according to his deeds will he requite him,

3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he wrestled with God.

In the womb he supplanted his brother, in manhood he wrestled with God,

4 Yea, he wrestled with the Angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us,

He wrestled with the angel and prevailed, he wept and sought his blessing. At Bethel the Lord found him, and there he spoke with us.

5 — even Jehovah, the God of hosts, — Jehovah is his memorial.

And the Lord is the God of hosts, the Lord is his name!

6 And thou, return unto thy God: keep loving-kindness and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

So now, by the help of your God, return. Keep true love and justice. Trust in your God without ceasing.

7 [He is] a merchant, balances of deceit are in his hand; he loveth to oppress.

A merchant uses false scales: They love to defraud.

8 And Ephraim saith, Nevertheless I am become rich, I have found me out substance; in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

Ephraim says, ‘Yes, I have become rich, I have secured wealth for myself. But despite my gains no one will find a crime I can be convicted of!’

9 But I [that am] Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt will again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.

I am the Lord your God, ever since the land of Egypt. I will make you again dwell in tents, as in days of old.

10 And I have spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and by means of the prophets have I used similitudes.

I spoke continually by the prophets. It was I who multiplied visions, and spoke in parables through the prophets.

11 If Gilead is iniquity, surely they are but vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

In Gilead is iniquity, they will come to nothing. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, so their altars will be as stone heaps, among the furrows of the field.

12 And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept [sheep].

And Jacob fled to the territory of Aram, and Israel worked to earn a wife: for a wife he herded sheep.

13 And by a prophet Jehovah brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

The Lord brought Israel up from Egypt by a prophet, and by a prophet Israel was guarded.

14 Ephraim provoked [him] to anger most bitterly; and his Lord shall leave his blood upon him, and recompense unto him his reproach.

Ephraim has given bitter provocation. His Lord will leave upon him his guilt of bloodshed, and for his contempt he will repay him.