CHAPTER 12

1 Ephraim feeds on the wind, and pursues the east wind; Daily he multiplies falsehood and devastation: A covenant they make with the Assyrian, And oil is carried into Egypt.

2 Jehovah has also a contention with Judah; And he will visit Jacob; -- according to his ways, According to his works, he will requite him.

3 In the womb he laid hold on his brother's foot, And by his strength he had power with God;

4 And he had power with the Angel and prevailed; He wept and entreated him: In Bethel he found him; -- and there he spoke with us,

5 Even Jehovah, God of hosts, -- Jehovah is his memorial,

6 And thou, to thy God return; Goodness and judgment observe, And hope in thy God always.

7 Canaan! -- in his hand is the balance of fraud; He loves to plunder:

8 Yet Ephraim said, "I am however become rich; I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors they shall not find in me An iniquity, which is a sin."

9 But I, Jehovah, thy God from the land of Egypt. Will yet make thee to dwell in tents, As in the days of the assembly.

10 I have also spoken by the Prophets, And visions have I multiplied, And through the Prophets used similitudes: --

11 Is there (still) iniquity in Gilead? -- Surely vain have they been: In Gilgal they have sacrificed oxen, And their altars have been as heaps On the furrows of the field.

12 Even Jacob fled to the land of Syria, And Israel served for a wife, And for a wife he kept sheep:

13 And by a Prophet did Jehovah bring Israel out of Egypt, And by a Prophet he was preserved: --

14 (Yet) Ephraim has provoked him by his high places; (446) But his blood shall on him remain, And his reproach ¹ will his Lord return to him.