Hosea 12

1Ephraim feeds on wind and pursues the east wind all day, multiplying deceit and violence. They cut a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt.

2Yahweh has a quarrel with Judah, and he will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him.

3In the womb he grasped his brother by the heel, and with his strength he strove with God.

4He strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and entreated him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us.

5Yahweh, God of hosts—Yahweh is his memorial.

6But you, return to your God; keep mercy and justice, and hope continually in your God.

7A merchant holds false scales in his hand; he loves to defraud.

8Ephraim said, "Surely I have grown rich; I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors they will not find iniquity in me that is sin."

9Yet I, Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt, will make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast.

10I have spoken to the prophets, and I myself have multiplied visions, and by the hand of the prophets I have used likenesses.

11Is there evil in Gilead? Surely they are falsehood. In Gilgal they sacrifice oxen; indeed, their altars are like heaps upon the furrows of the field.

12Jacob fled to the countryside of Aram, Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he tended flocks.

13By a prophet Yahweh brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was kept.

14Ephraim provoked anger bitterly; his blood will be left on him, and his Lord will repay his reproach.