1 ¶ Ephraim feeds on wind and follows after the east wind; he daily increases lies and desolation because they made a covenant with the Assyrians, and the oil is carried into Egypt.

2 T he LORD also has a controversy with Judah to visit 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 with his strength he overcame the angel;

4 y ea, he dominated the angel and prevailed; he wept and made supplication unto him; he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us;

5 b ut the LORD is God of the hosts; the LORD is his memorial.

6 T herefore be thou converted unto thy God; keep mercy and judgment, and in thy God wait continually.

7 ¶ He is a merchant who has the balances of deceit in his hand; he loves to oppress.

8 A nd Ephraim said, Surely I have become rich, I have found riches for myself; no one shall find iniquity in me, nor sin in all my labours.

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

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

11 I s Gilead iniquity? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

12 B ut Jacob fled into the land of Aram, and Israel served for his wife, and for his wife he was a pastor.

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

14 E phraim provoked God to anger with bitterness: therefore his blood shall be spilled upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord repay unto him.