Hosea 12

1 Ephraim herds the wind and hunts the sirocco. All day long they heap up falsehood and fraud, make a treaty with Assyria, and sends tribute of olive oil to Egypt.

Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he continually multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

2 The Lord has a charge to bring against Israel, to punish Jacob for his acts, according to his deeds will he requite him,

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

3 In the womb he supplanted his brother, in manhood he wrestled with God,

In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he had power with God:

4 He wrestled with the angel and prevailed, he wept and sought his blessing. At Bethel the Lord found him, and there he spoke with us.

yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him at Beth-el, and there he spake with us;

5 And the Lord is the God of hosts, the Lord is his name!

even the LORD, the God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.

6 So now, by the help of your God, return. Keep true love and justice. Trust in your God without ceasing.

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

7 A merchant uses false scales: They love to defraud.

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

8 Ephraim says, ‘Yes, I have become rich, I have secured wealth for myself. But despite my gains no one will find a crime I can be convicted of!’

And Ephraim said, Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth: in all my labours they shall find in me none iniquity that were sin.

9 I am the Lord your God, ever since the land of Egypt. I will make you again dwell in tents, as in days of old.

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 solemn feast.

10 I spoke continually by the prophets. It was I who multiplied visions, and spoke in parables through the prophets.

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

11 In Gilead is iniquity, they will come to nothing. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, so their altars will be as stone heaps, among the furrows of the field.

Is Gilead iniquity? they are altogether vanity; in Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks: yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the field.

12 And Jacob fled to the territory of Aram, and Israel worked to earn a wife: for a wife he herded sheep.

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

13 The Lord brought Israel up from Egypt by a prophet, and by a prophet Israel was guarded.

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

14 Ephraim has given bitter provocation. His Lord will leave upon him his guilt of bloodshed, and for his contempt he will repay him.

Ephraim hath provoked to anger most bitterly: therefore shall his blood be left upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.