Hosea 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 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 manhood he 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 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 He is a trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to 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 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 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 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.

HOSEA 12

1 All day long Israel chases
wind from the desert;
deceit and violence
are found everywhere.
Treaties are made with Assyria;
olive oil is taken to Egypt.

Israel and Judah Condemned

2 The [Lord] also brings charges
against the people of Judah,
the descendants of Jacob.
He will punish them
for what they have done.

3  t t Even before Jacob was born,
he cheated his brother, t
and when he grew up,
he fought against God.t

4  t At Bethel, Jacob wrestled
with an angel and won;
then with tears in his eyes,
he asked for a blessing,
and God spoke to ust there.

5 God's name is the [Lord],
the [Lord] God All-Powerful.

6 So return to your God.
Patiently trust him,
and show love and justice.

7 Israel, you enjoy cheating
and taking advantage
of others.

8 You say to yourself, “I'm rich!
I earned it all on my own,
without committing a sin.”t

The [Lord] Is Still //the God of Israel

9  t Israel, I, the [Lord],
am still your God,
just as I have been
since the time
you were in Egypt.
Now I will force you
to live in tents once again,
as you did in the desert.t

10 I spoke to the prophets—
often I spoke in visions.
And so, I will send my prophets
with messages of doom.

11 Gilead is terribly sinful
and will end up ruined.
Bulls are sacrificed in Gilgal
on altars made of stones,
but those stones will be scattered
in every field.

12  t Jacobt escaped to Syriat
where he tended sheep
to earn himself a wife.

13  t I sent the prophet Moses
to lead Israel from Egypt
and to keep them safe.

14 Israel, I will make you pay
for your violent crimes
and for insulting me.