Hosea 12

1 Ephraim striveth after wind, and followeth after the east wind; all the day 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 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 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and by his strength he strove with a godlike being;

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

4 So he strove with an angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him; at Beth-el he would find him, and there he would speak 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 But the LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD is His name.

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

6 Therefore turn thou to thy God; keep mercy and justice, and wait for thy God continually.

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

7 As for the trafficker, 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: 'Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth; in all my labours they shall find in me no iniquity that were sin.'

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

9 But I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt; I will yet again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed season.

“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 unto the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry 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 be given to iniquity becoming altogether vanity, in Gilgal they sacrifice unto bullocks; yea, their altars shall be 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 And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, 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 up out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he kept.

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

14 Ephraim hath provoked most bitterly; therefore shall his blood be cast 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.