Hosea - 12

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

2 J ehovah hath also a controversy with Judah, and he will punish Jacob 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 in his strength he wrestled with God.

4 Y ea, he wrestled with the Angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us,

5 even Jehovah, the God of hosts,—Jehovah is his memorial.

6 A nd thou, return unto thy God: keep loving-kindness and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

7 a merchant, balances of deceit are in his hand; he loveth to oppress.

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

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

10 A nd I have spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and by means of the prophets have I used similitudes.

11 I f Gilead is iniquity, surely they are but vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as 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.

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

14 E phraim provoked to anger most bitterly; and his Lord shall leave his blood upon him, and recompense unto him his reproach.