Hosea 12

1 Ephraim feedeth on the wind, and followeth the burning heat: all the day long he multiplied lies and desolation: and he hath made a covenant with the Assyrians, and carried oil 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 Therefore there is a judgment of the Lord with Juda, and a visitation for Jacob: he will render to him according to his ways, and according to his devices.

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

3 In the womb he supplanted his brother: and by his strength he had success with an angel.

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

4 And he prevailed over the angel, and was strengthened: he wept, and made supplication to 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 the Lord the God of hosts, the Lord is his memorial.

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

6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and hope in thy God always.

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

7 He is like Chanaan, there is a deceitful balance in his hand, he hath loved oppression.

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

8 And Ephraim said: But yet I am become rich, I have found me an idol: all my labours shall not find me the iniquity that I have committed.

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 cause thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the feast.

"But I YHWH 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 by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and I have 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 If Galaad be an idol, then in vain were they in Galgal offering sacrifices with bullocks: for their altars also are as heaps in the furrows of the field.

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 Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and was a keeper for a wife.

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

13 But the Lord by a prophet brought Israel out of Egypt: and he was preserved by a prophet.

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

14 Ephraim hath provoked me to wrath with his bitterness, and his blood shall come upon him, and his Lord will render his reproach unto him.

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