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

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

In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he contended 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,

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

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

even the LORD, the God of hosts; The LORD is his name of renown.

6 And thou, return unto thy God: keep loving-kindness 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, 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 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 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 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.

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

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

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

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.

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, and Israel served to get a wife, and for a wife he tended flocks and herds.

13 And by a prophet Jehovah 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; and his Lord shall leave his blood upon him, and recompense unto him his reproach.

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