Hosea

1Ephraim feeds on wind,and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

2The LORD also has a controversy with Judah,and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him.

3In the womb he took his brother by the heel,and in his manhood he contended with God.

4Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed;he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us—

5even the LORD, the God of Armies. The LORD is his name of renown!

6Therefore turn to your God.Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.

7A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand.He loves to defraud.

8Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich.I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won’t find in me any iniquity that is sin.”

9“But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt.I will yet again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.

10I have also spoken to the prophets,and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.

11If Gilead is wicked,surely they are worthless.In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls.Indeed, their altars are like heaps in the furrows of the field.

12Jacob fled into the country of Aram.Israel served to get a wife. For a wife he tended flocks and herds.

13By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up out of Egypt,and by a prophet he was preserved.

14Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger.Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his Lordwill repay his contempt.

1Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

2The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

3¶ He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

4Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Beth-el, and there he spake with us;

5Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.

6Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

7¶ He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

8And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

9And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

10I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

11Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

12And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

13And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

14Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.