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’s food is the wind, he goes after the east wind all day long. He tells many lies and does much in his anger. He makes an agreement with Assyria and takes oil 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 a cause against Judah, and will punish Jacob for his ways. He will make him pay for what he has done.

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

Before he was born he took his brother by the heel. And when he was grown he fought 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;

He fought with the angel and won. He cried and begged for His favor. He met God at Bethel, and God spoke with him there.

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

This was the Lord, the God of All. The Lord is His name.

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

So return to your God. Show kindness and do what is fair, and wait for your God all the time.

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

One who buys and sells and who lies about the weight of things loves to make it hard for others.

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, “I have become rich. I have found riches for myself. With all my riches they will not find any sin in me.”

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.

“I am the Lord your God Who brought you out of Egypt. I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of your special suppers.

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

I have spoken to the men who speak for Me. I have given many special dreams. And I gave picture-stories through the men who speak for Me.”

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.

Is there sin in Gilead? For sure its people are of no worth. In Gilgal they kill bulls in worship. Their altars are like the many stones laid beside a plowed field.

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

Jacob ran away to the land of Aram. There he worked for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

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

By a man who spoke for Him, the Lord brought Israel from Egypt. And by a man who spoke for Him, the Lord cared for him.

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.

But Ephraim has made the Lord very angry. So the Lord will leave on him the guilt of his blood, and make his shame return to him.