1 “ 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 “ 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 H e took his brother by the heel in the womb, And in his strength he struggled with God.

4 Y es, 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 T hat is, the Lord God of hosts. The Lord is His memorable name.

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

7 “ 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 shall find in me no iniquity that is sin.’

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

11 T hough 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 J acob fled to the country of Syria; Israel served for a spouse, And for a wife he tended sheep.

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

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