Hosea 12 ~ Hosea 12

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1 E phraim 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.

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 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.

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 womb, and in the strength he contended and 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 es, he had power over the Angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor. He met Him in Bethel, and there spoke 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 the God of hosts, the name of Him is the Lord.

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

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

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

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

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

8 E phraim 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.

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 B ut 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.

“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 to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions and through parables acted out by 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 f 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.

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 J acob fled into the open country of Aram or Padan-aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he herded 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 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 has provoked most bitter anger; therefore shall his blood be left upon him, and his disgrace and reproach shall his Lord return upon 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.