Add parallel Print Page Options

12 Ephraim herds the wind,
    and pursues the east wind all day long;
they multiply falsehood and violence;
    they make a treaty with Assyria,
    and oil is carried to Egypt.

The Long History of Rebellion

The Lord has an indictment against Judah,
    and will punish Jacob according to his ways,
    and repay him according to his deeds.
In the womb he tried to supplant his brother,
    and in his manhood he strove with God.
He strove with the angel and prevailed,
    he wept and sought his favour;
he met him at Bethel,
    and there he spoke with him.[a]
The Lord the God of hosts,
    the Lord is his name!
But as for you, return to your God,
    hold fast to love and justice,
    and wait continually for your God.

A trader, in whose hands are false balances,
    he loves to oppress.
Ephraim has said, ‘Ah, I am rich,
    I have gained wealth for myself;
in all of my gain
    no offence has been found in me
    that would be sin.’[b]
I am the Lord your God
    from the land of Egypt;
I will make you live in tents again,
    as on the days of the appointed festival.

10 I spoke to the prophets;
    it was I who multiplied visions,
    and through the prophets I will bring destruction.
11 In Gilead[c] there is iniquity,
    they shall surely come to nothing.
In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls,
    so their altars shall be like stone heaps
    on the furrows of the field.
12 Jacob fled to the land of Aram;
    there Israel served for a wife,
    and for a wife he guarded sheep.[d]
13 By a prophet the Lord brought Israel up from Egypt,
    and by a prophet he was guarded.
14 Ephraim has given bitter offence,
    so his Lord will bring his crimes down on him
    and pay him back for his insults.

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 12:4 Gk Syr: Heb us
  2. Hosea 12:8 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  3. Hosea 12:11 Compare Syr: Heb Gilead
  4. Hosea 12:12 Heb lacks sheep

Bible Gateway Recommends

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition Holy Bible: NRSV
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition Holy Bible: NRSV
Retail: $16.99
Our Price: $11.99
Save: $5.00 (29%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
NRSV Catholic Edition Bible, Easter Lily--Softcover
NRSV Catholic Edition Bible, Easter Lily--Softcover
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $16.99
Save: $8.00 (32%)
NRSV Catholic Bible, Large Print, Comfort Print, Leathersoft, Red
NRSV Catholic Bible, Large Print, Comfort Print, Leathersoft, Red
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $40.99
Save: $19.00 (32%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition Holy Bible: NRSV
New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition Holy Bible: NRSV
Retail: $19.99
Our Price: $13.99
Save: $6.00 (30%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars