Hosea 12

1Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

2The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.footnote a

3He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:footnote b

4Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Beth-el, and there he spake with us;

5Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.

6Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

7He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.footnote cfootnote d

8And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.footnote efootnote f

9And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

10I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.footnote g

11Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

12And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

13And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

14Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.footnote hfootnote i

A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob

1Ephraimfootnote afeeds on the windand pursues the east wind all day long;he multiplies lies and violence;he makes a covenant with Assyriaand sends olive oil to Egypt.

2The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah.He will punish Jacobfootnote baccording to his waysand repay him according to his deeds. 3In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel,and in his vigor he wrestled with God. 4Yes, he struggled with the angelfootnote cand prevailed;he wept and sought His favor;he found Him at Betheland spoke with Him therefootnote d— 5the LORD God of Hosts,the LORD is His name of renown. 6But you must return to your God;maintain love and justice,and always wait on your God.

7A merchant loves to defraudwith dishonest scales in his hands. 8And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become!I have found wealth for myself.In all my labors, they can find in meno iniquity that is sinful.”

9But I am the LORD your Godever since the land of Egypt.I will again make you dwell in tents,as in the days of the appointed feast. 10I spoke through the prophetsand multiplied their visions;I gave parables through the prophets. 11Is there iniquity in Gilead?They will surely come to nothing.Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal?Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stonesin the furrows of the field.

12Jacob fled to the land of Aramfootnote eand Israel worked for a wife—for a wife he tended sheep. 13But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt,and by a prophet he was preserved.

14Ephraim has provoked bitter anger,so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt upon himand repay him for his contempt.