Hosea 12

¹ Ephraim feeds on the wind
and pursues the east wind all day long.
He multiplies lies and violence;
they make a covenant with Assyria,
and oil is carried to Egypt.

² The LORD has an indictment against Judah
and will punish Jacob according to his ways;
he will repay him according to his deeds.

³ In the womb he grasped his brother's heel,
and in his strength he struggled with God.

⁴ He struggled with the angel and prevailed;
he wept and sought his favor.
He found him at Bethel,
and there God spoke with us —

⁵ the LORD, the God of hosts;
the LORD is his name of renown.

⁶ So you, by the help of your God, return;
hold fast to loyal love and justice,
and wait continually for your God.

⁷ A merchant — in his hand are dishonest scales;
he loves to oppress.

⁸ Ephraim has said, "Ah, I have become rich;
I have found wealth for myself.
In all my labors they will find in me
no guilt that would be sin."

⁹ But I am the LORD your God
from the land of Egypt;
I will make you dwell in tents again,
as in the days of the appointed feast.

¹⁰ I spoke to the prophets;
it was I who multiplied visions,
and through the prophets I gave parables.

¹¹ If Gilead is wicked,
they will surely come to nothing.
In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls;
their altars will be like stone heaps
along the furrows of the field.

¹² Jacob fled to the land of Aram;
Israel served for a wife,
and for a wife he guarded sheep.

¹³ By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt,
and by a prophet he was guarded.

¹⁴ Ephraim has provoked bitter anger;
his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him
and will repay him for his contempt.