12
1 Ephraim feeds on wind and pursues the east wind.
All day he multiplies lies and violence.
They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt.
2 The LORD has a charge against Judah.
He will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.
3 In the womb he grasped his brother by the heel, and in his strength he wrestled with God.
4 He wrestled with the angel and prevailed;
he wept and pleaded with him.
He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us—
5 the LORD, the God of hosts;
the LORD is his memorial name.
6 So you, return to your God.
Keep steadfast love and justice, and wait continually for your God.
7 A merchant holds dishonest scales in his hand;
he loves to oppress.
8 Ephraim says, “Surely I have grown rich;
I have acquired wealth for myself.
In all my labors they will find no guilt in me that is sin.”
9 “But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt.
I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast.
10 I spoke to the prophets and multiplied visions.
Through the prophets I used comparisons.”
11 If there is iniquity in Gilead, they are surely worthless.
In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls;
their altars are like heaps of stones in the furrows of the field.
12 Jacob fled to the country of Aram.
Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he tended flocks.
13 Through a prophet the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt, and through a prophet he was guarded.
14 Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger.
His Lord will leave his bloodguilt upon him and repay him for his reproach.