1 E phraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

Ephraim herds and feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind; every day he increases lies and violence, and a covenant is made with Assyria and oil is carried to Egypt.

2 T he Lord hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

The Lord has also a controversy (a pleading contention) with Judah, and will punish Jacob by visiting upon him according to his ways; according to his doings will He recompense him.

3 H e took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

He took his brother by the heel in womb, and in the strength he contended and had power with God.

4 y ea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Beth-el, and there he spake with us;

Yes, he had power over the Angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor. He met Him in Bethel, and there spoke with us—

5 e ven the Lord God of hosts; the Lord is his memorial.

Even the Lord the God of hosts, the name of Him is the Lord.

6 T herefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

Therefore return to your God! Hold fast to love and mercy, to righteousness and justice, and wait for your God continually!

7 H e is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

Canaan is a trader; the balances of deceit are in his hand; he loves to oppress and defraud.

8 A nd Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

Ephraim has said, Ah, but I have become rich; I have gained for myself wealth. All my profits shall bring on me no iniquity that would be sin.

9 A nd I that am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

But I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt will yet make you to dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed and solemn Feast.

10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions and through parables acted out by the prophets.

11 I s there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

If Gilead is given over to idolatry, they shall come to nought and be mere waste; if they sacrificing bullocks in Gilgal, their altars shall be like heaps in the furrows of the fields.

12 A nd Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

Jacob fled into the open country of Aram or Padan-aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he herded sheep.

13 A nd by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was preserved.

14 E phraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

Ephraim has provoked most bitter anger; therefore shall his blood be left upon him, and his disgrace and reproach shall his Lord return upon him.