12 “Ephraim afeeds on the wind,

And pursues the east wind;

He daily increases lies and 1desolation.

bAlso they make a 2covenant with the Assyrians,

And coil is carried to Egypt.

2 “The dLord also brings a 3charge against Judah,

And will punish Jacob according to his ways;

According to his deeds He will recompense him.

3 He took his brother eby the heel in the womb,

And in his strength he fstruggled with God.

4 Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed;

He wept, and sought favor from Him.

He found Him in gBethel,

And there He spoke to us—

5 That is, the Lord God of hosts.

The Lord is His hmemorable name.

6 iSo you, by the help of your God, return;

Observe mercy and justice,

And wait on your God continually.

7 “A cunning 4Canaanite!

jDeceitful scales are in his hand;

He loves to oppress.

8 And Ephraim said,

k‘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;

lI will again make you dwell in tents,

As in the days of the appointed feast.

10 mI have also spoken by the prophets,

And have multiplied visions;

I have given 5symbols 6through the witness of the prophets.”

11 Though nGilead has idols—

Surely they are 7vanity—

Though they sacrifice bulls in oGilgal,

Indeed their altars shall be heaps in the furrows of the field.

12 Jacob pfled to the country of Syria;

qIsrael served for a spouse,

And for a wife he tended sheep.

13 rBy a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt,

And by a prophet he was preserved.

14 Ephraim sprovoked Him to anger most bitterly;

Therefore his Lord will leave the guilt of his bloodshed upon him,

tAnd return his reproach upon him.