1“Ephraim feeds on the wind,
And pursues the east wind;
He daily increases lies and 12:1 ruindesolation.
Also they make a 12:1 Or treatycovenant with the Assyrians,
And oil is carried to Egypt.
And will punish Jacob according to his ways;
According to his deeds He will recompense him.
3He took his brother by the heel in the womb,
And in his strength he struggled with God.
4Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed;
He wept, and sought favor from Him.
He found Him in Bethel,
And there He spoke to us—
5That is, the Lord God of hosts.
The Lord is His memorable name.
6So you, by the help of your God, return;
Observe mercy and justice,
And wait on your God continually.
7“A cunning 12:7 Or merchantCanaanite!
Deceitful scales are in his hand;
He loves to oppress.
8And 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.’
Ever since the land of Egypt;
I will again make you dwell in tents,
As in the days of the appointed feast.
10I have also spoken by the prophets,
And have multiplied visions;
I have given 12:10 Or parablessymbols 12:10 Lit. by the handthrough the witness of the prophets.”
11Though Gilead has idols—
Surely they are 12:11 worthlessvanity—
Though they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal,
Indeed their altars shall be heaps in the furrows of the field.
12Jacob fled to the country of Syria;
Israel served for a spouse,
And for a wife he tended sheep.
13By a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt,
And by a prophet he was preserved.
14Ephraim provoked Him to anger most bitterly;
Therefore his Lord will leave the guilt of his bloodshed upon him,
And return his reproach upon him.
New King James Version®, Copyright© 1982, Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.