Hosea 12

1Ephraim 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.

1Ephraim feeds on the wind and chases the east wind all day long; he piles up lies and violence. He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil as a gift to Egypt.

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

2The LORD also has a legal case against Judah; he will punish the descendants of Jacob for their behavior and repay them for what they have done.

3In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he had power with God:

3While in the womb, Jacob grabbed his brother’s heel, and as a man, he struggled with God.

4yea, 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,

4Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won; he cried and begged for his favor. He found God at Bethel, and there God spoke with us—

5even Jehovah, the God of hosts; Jehovah is his memorial name.

5it was the LORD, the God of Heaven’s Armies; the LORD is the name by which he is remembered.

6Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep kindness and justice, and wait for thy God continually.

6So you must return to your God. Practice love and justice, and always wait for your God.

7He isa trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

7The merchants use dishonest scales; they love to cheat others.

8And 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.

8Ephraim boasts, 'I am very rich; I have made a fortune for myself. With all my wealth, no one can find any sin or wrongdoing in me.'

9But 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.

9'But I have been the LORD your God ever since you were in Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as you do during the appointed festival days.

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

10I spoke to the prophets and gave them many visions; I used parables through the ministry of the prophets.'

11Is Gilead iniquity? they are altogether false; in Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the field.

11Does Gilead follow idols? They are completely worthless! In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls; their altars are like heaps of stones in a plowed field.

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

12Jacob fled to the land of Aram; Israel worked to get a wife, and he tended sheep to pay for her.

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

13The LORD used a prophet to bring Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was cared for.

14Ephraim hath provoked to anger most bitterly: therefore shall his blood be left upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

14Ephraim has caused bitter anger; therefore, the Lord will leave the guilt of his bloodshed on him and pay him back for his contempt.