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 feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into 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.

Yahweh also has a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him.

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

In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he contended 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—

Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us,

5 E ven the Lord the God of hosts, the name of Him is the Lord.

even Yahweh, the God of Armies; Yahweh is his name of renown!

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

Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.

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

A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.

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 said, “Surely I have become rich, I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won’t find in me any iniquity that is sin.”

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.

“But I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.

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

I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.

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.

If Gilead is wicked, surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Indeed, their altars are like heaps in the furrows of the 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 fled into the country of Aram, and Israel served to get a wife, and for a wife he tended flocks and herds.

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

By a prophet Yahweh brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.

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.

Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger. Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his Lord will repay his contempt.