Hosea 12

A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob

^{verse 1}Ephraim^a feeds on the wind

and pursues the east wind all day long;

he multiplies lies and violence;

he makes a covenant with Assyria

and sends olive oil to Egypt.

^{verse 2}The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah.

He will punish Jacob^b according to his ways

and repay him according to his deeds.

^{verse 3}In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel,

and in his vigor he wrestled with God.

^{verse 4}Yes, he struggled with the angel^c and prevailed;

he wept and sought His favor;

he found Him at Bethel

and spoke with Him there^d —

^{verse 5}the LORD God of Hosts,

the LORD is His name of renown.

^{verse 6}But you must return to your God;

maintain love and justice,

and always wait on your God.

^{verse 7}A merchant loves to defraud

with dishonest scales in his hands.

^{verse 8}And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become!

I have found wealth for myself.

In all my labors, they can find in me

no iniquity that is sinful.”

^{verse 9}But I am the LORD your God

ever since the land of Egypt.

I will again make you dwell in tents,

as in the days of the appointed feast.

^{verse 10}I spoke through the prophets

and multiplied their visions;

I gave parables through the prophets.

^{verse 11}Is there iniquity in Gilead?

They will surely come to nothing.

Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal?

Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stones

in the furrows of the field.

^{verse 12}Jacob fled to the land of Aram^e

and Israel worked for a wife —

for a wife he tended sheep.

^{verse 13}But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt,

and by a prophet he was preserved.

^{verse 14}Ephraim has provoked bitter anger,

so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt upon him

and repay him for his contempt.