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Hosea 12

A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob
1 Ephraim feeds on the wind
 and pursues the east wind all day long;
they multiply falsehood and violence;
 they make a covenant with Assyria,
 and oil is carried to Egypt.

2 The LORD has an indictment against Judah
 and will punish Jacob according to his ways;
 he will repay him according to his deeds.
3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel,
 and in his manhood he strove with God.
4 He strove with the angel and prevailed;
 he wept and sought his favor.
He met God at Bethel,
 and there God spoke with us—
5 the LORD, the God of hosts,
 the LORD is his memorial name:
6 “So you, by the help of your God, return,
 hold fast to love and justice,
 and wait continually for your God.”


7 A merchant, in whose hands are false balances,
 he loves to oppress.
8 Ephraim has said, “Ah, but I am rich;
 I have found wealth for myself;
in all my labors they cannot find in me iniquity or sin.”

9 I am the LORD your God
 from the land of Egypt;
I will again make you dwell in tents,
 as in the days of the appointed feast.

10 I spoke to the prophets;
 it was I who multiplied visions,
 and through the prophets gave parables.
11 If there is iniquity in Gilead,
 they shall surely come to nothing:
in Gilgal they sacrifice bulls;
 their altars also are like stone heaps
 on the furrows of the field.
12 Jacob fled to the land of Aram;
 there Israel served for a wife,
 and for a wife he guarded sheep.
13 By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt,
 and by a prophet he was guarded.
14 Ephraim has given bitter provocation;
 so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him
 and will repay him for his disgraceful deeds.