Hos 12 | RLT | STEP | Ephraim 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 .

‏ Hosea 12

CHAP. XII.

1 Ephraim 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. 2 Yhwh hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him. ^{▼▼ punish: Heb. visit upon.}

3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: ^{▼▼ had…: Heb. was a prince, or, behaved himself princely.} 4 Yea, 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; 5 Even Yhwh God of Armies; Yhwh is his memorial. 6 Therefore 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. ^{▼▼ a merchant: or, Canaan.
,} ^{▼▼ oppress: or, deceive.} 8 And 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. ^{▼▼ in all…: or, all my labours suffice me not: he shall have punishment of iniquity in whom is sin.
,} ^{▼▼ that: Heb. which.} 9 And I that am Yhwh thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast. 10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. ^{▼▼ ministry: Heb. hand.} 11 Is 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. 12 And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep. 13 And by a prophet Yhwh brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved. 14 Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him. ^{▼▼ most…: Heb. with bitternesses.
,} ^{▼▼ blood: Heb. bloods.}