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.

Ephraim herds and feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind; every day he increases lies and violence, and a covenant is made with Assyria 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.

The Lord has also a controversy (a pleading contention) with Judah, and will punish Jacob by visiting upon him 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 struggled with God.

He took his brother by the heel in womb, and in the strength he contended and had power 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—

Yes, he had power over the Angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor. He met Him in Bethel, and there spoke with us—

5 T hat is, the Lord God of hosts. The Lord is His memorable name.

Even the Lord the God of hosts, the name of Him is the Lord.

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

Therefore return to your God! Hold fast to love and mercy, to righteousness and justice, and wait for your God continually!

7 “ A cunning Canaanite! Deceitful scales are in his hand; He loves to oppress.

Canaan is a trader; the balances of deceit are in his hand; he loves to oppress and defraud.

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.’

Ephraim has said, Ah, but I have become rich; I have gained for myself wealth. All my profits shall bring on me no iniquity that would be 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.

But I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt will yet make you to dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed and solemn Feast.

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

I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions and through parables acted out by 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.

If Gilead is given over to idolatry, they shall come to nought and be mere waste; if they sacrificing bullocks in Gilgal, their altars shall be like heaps in the furrows of the fields.

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

Jacob fled into the open country of Aram or Padan-aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he herded sheep.

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

And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet 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.

Ephraim has provoked most bitter anger; therefore shall his blood be left upon him, and his disgrace and reproach shall his Lord return upon him.