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.

“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 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.

“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 maturity he contended with God.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“A cunning Canaanite! Deceitful scales are in his hand; 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.”

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 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.

“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 to the prophets, And I gave numerous visions, And through the prophets I gave parables.

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

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.

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 N ow Jacob fled to the land of Aram, And Israel worked 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 B ut by a prophet the Lord brought Israel from Egypt, And by a prophet he was kept.

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

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