Old Testament · Hosea

Hosea 12

1Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; but Judah still roams with God, and with the holy ones is faithful.

A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob

2Ephraim feeds on spirit^a, and pursues the east blast all the day; he multiplies lie and desolation; and they cut a covenant^b with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt.
3And the LORD has a controversy with Judah, and will visit upon Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him.
4In the womb he grasped his brother's heel, and in his vigor he strove with God.
5And he strove against an angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor. At Bethel he found him, and there he spoke with us—
6even the LORD, God of the hosts^c; the LORD is his memorial.
7And you—by your God you shall return; keep lovingkindness and judgment^d, and wait for your God continually.
8Canaan—in his hand are balances of deceit; he loves to oppress.
9And Ephraim said, "Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; in all my labors they shall find in me no iniquity that is sin."
10And I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; I will yet make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed time (mo-ed).
11And I spoke to the prophets, and I multiplied vision; and through the prophets I gave parables.
12If Gilead is iniquity, surely they have become vanity; in Gilgal they sacrifice bulls; yes, their altars are like heaps upon the furrows of the field.
13And Jacob fled to the field of Aram, and Israel served^e for a wife^f, and for a wife he kept sheep.
14And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was kept.
15Ephraim has provoked bitter anger; so his blood he will leave upon him, and his reproach his Lord^g will return to him.