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

“Ephraim feeds on the wind, And pursues the east wind; He daily increases lies and desolation. Also they make a covenant with the Assyrians, And oil is carried to Egypt.

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

“The Lord also brings a charge against Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; According to his deeds He will recompense him.

3 I n the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he had power with God:

He took his brother by the heel in the womb, And in his strength he struggled with God.

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

Yes, 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—

5 e ven Jehovah, the God of hosts; Jehovah is his memorial name.

That is, the Lord God of hosts. The Lord is His memorable name.

6 T herefore turn thou to thy God: keep kindness and justice, and wait for thy God continually.

So you, by the help of your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually.

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

“A cunning Canaanite! Deceitful scales are in his hand; He loves to oppress.

8 A nd Ephraim said, Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth: in all my labors they shall find in me no iniquity that were sin.

And 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.’

9 B ut I am Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt; I will yet again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.

“But I am the Lord your God, Ever since the land of Egypt; I will again make you dwell in tents, As in the days of the appointed feast.

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

I have also spoken by the prophets, And have multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets.”

11 I s Gilead iniquity? they are altogether false; in Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the field.

Though Gilead has idols— Surely they are vanity— Though they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal, Indeed their altars shall be heaps in the furrows of the field.

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

Jacob fled to the country of Syria; Israel served for a spouse, And for a wife he tended sheep.

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

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

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

Ephraim provoked Him to anger most bitterly; Therefore his Lord will leave the guilt of his bloodshed upon him, And return his reproach upon him.