1 E phraim feeds on wind, And pursues the east wind continually; He multiplies lies and violence. Moreover, he makes a covenant with Assyria, And oil is carried to Egypt.

2 T he Lord also has a dispute with Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; He will repay him according to his deeds.

3 I n the womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his maturity he contended with God.

4 Y es, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed; He wept and sought His favor. He found Him at Bethel And there He spoke with us,

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

6 T herefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.

7 A merchant, in whose hands are false balances, He loves to oppress.

8 A nd Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors they will find in me No iniquity, which would be sin.”

9 B ut I have been the Lord your God since the land of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, As in the days of the appointed festival.

10 I have also spoken to the prophets, And I gave numerous visions, And through the prophets I gave parables.

11 I s there iniquity in Gilead? Surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, Yes, their altars are like the stone heaps Beside the furrows of the field.

12 N ow Jacob fled to the land of Aram, And Israel worked for a wife, And for a wife he kept sheep.

13 B ut by a prophet the Lord brought Israel from Egypt, And by a prophet he was kept.

14 E phraim has provoked to bitter anger; So his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him And bring back his reproach to him.