Hosea 12

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 He took his brother by the heel in the womb,
And in his strength he struggled with God. 4 Yes, 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 That is, the Lord God of hosts.
The Lord is His memorable name. 6 So 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 And 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 Though 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 Jacob fled to the country of Syria;
Israel served for a spouse,
And for a wife he tended sheep. 13 By a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt,
And by a prophet he was preserved. 14 Ephraim provoked Him to anger most bitterly;
Therefore his Lord will leave the guilt of his bloodshed upon him,
And return his reproach upon him.