Hosea 12

1 Ephraim 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.

Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

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

The LORD also has a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him.

3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he contended with God.

4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him [in] Beth-el, and there he spake with us;

Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us—

5 Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD [is] his memorial.

even the LORD, the God of Hosts. The LORD is his name of renown!

6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.

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

A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.

8 And 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.

Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich. I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won’t find in me any iniquity that is sin.”

9 And 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.

“But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.

10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.

11 [Is 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.

If Gilead is wicked, surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Indeed, their altars are like heaps in 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].

Jacob fled into the country of Aram. Israel served to get a wife. For a wife he tended flocks and herds.

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

By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.

14 Ephraim provoked [him] to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger. Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his Lord will repay his contempt.