Hosea 12

1 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.

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

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

Jehovah has also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways. He will recompense him according to his doings.

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

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

4 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—

Yea, he had strength over the agent, and prevailed, as he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us.

5 even Yahweh, the God of Armies. Yahweh is his name of renown!

Even Jehovah, the God of hosts, Jehovah is his memorial.

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

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

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

He is a Canaanite. The balances of deceit are in his hand. He loves to oppress.

8 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.”

And Ephraim said, Surely I have become rich. I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors they shall find no iniquity in me that is sin.

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

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

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

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

11 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.

Is Gilead iniquity? They are altogether false. In Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks. Yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the field.

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

And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

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

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

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

Ephraim has provoked to anger most bitterly. Therefore his blood shall be left upon him, and his reproach his Lord shall return to him.