Hosea – Chapter 12

1 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth (*) with God, and is faithful with the saints.

(*) See note in [01] Genesis 27:40.

2 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.

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

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

5 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;

6 Even the Lord God of hosts; the Lord is his memorial.

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

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

9 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.

10 And 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.

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

12 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.

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

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

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