12 1 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 Jehovah hath also a controversy with Judah, and will [a]punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him. 3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his [b]manhood he [c]had power with God: 4 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 [d]even Jehovah, the God of hosts; Jehovah is his memorial name. 6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep kindness and justice, and wait for thy God continually.
7 [e]He is [f]a trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to [g]oppress. 8 And Ephraim said, Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth: in all my labors they shall find in me no iniquity that were sin. 9 But I am Jehovah 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 have also spoken unto the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and [h]by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes. 11 Is Gilead iniquity? they are altogether false; in Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks; yea, their altars [i]are as 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. 13 And by a prophet Jehovah brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he [j]preserved. 14 Ephraim hath provoked to anger most bitterly: therefore shall his blood be left upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.
Footnotes
- Hosea 12:2 Hebrew visit upon.
- Hosea 12:3 Or, strength
- Hosea 12:3 Or, strove
- Hosea 12:5 Or, for Jehovah is the God of hosts
- Hosea 12:7 Or, As for Canaan, the etc.
- Hosea 12:7 Or, a Canaanite. Hebrew Canaan.
- Hosea 12:7 Or, defraud
- Hosea 12:10 Hebrew by the hand.
- Hosea 12:11 Or, shall be
- Hosea 12:13 Or, kept