12
A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob
1 Ephraim * chases the wind
and pursues the east wind all day long;
he multiplies lies and violence;
he makes a covenant with Assyria
and sends olive oil to Egypt.
2 The LORD also brings a charge against Judah.
He will punish Jacob † according to his ways
and repay him according to his deeds.
3 In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel,
and in his vigor he wrestled with God.
4 Yes, he struggled with the angel ‡ and prevailed;
he wept and sought His favor;
he found Him at Bethel
and spoke with Him there §—
5 the LORD is the God of Hosts—
the LORD is His name of renown.
6 But you must return to your God,
maintaining love and justice,
and always waiting on your God.
7 A merchant loves to defraud
with dishonest scales in his hands.
8 And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become!
I have found wealth for myself.
In all my labors, they can find in me
no iniquity that is sinful.”
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 spoke through the prophets
and multiplied their visions;
I gave parables through the prophets.
11 Is there iniquity in Gilead?
They will surely come to nothing.
Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal?
Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stones
in the furrows of the field.
12 Jacob fled to the land of Aram *
and Israel worked for a wife—
for a wife he tended sheep.
13 But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt,
and by a prophet he was preserved.
14 Ephraim has provoked bitter anger,
so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt upon him
and repay him for his contempt.
* 12:1 That is, the northern kingdom of Israel; also in verses 8 and 14 † 12:2 Jacob means he grasps the heel or he deceives. ‡ 12:4 Or Angel § 12:4 LXX and Syriac; MT and there He spoke with us * 12:12 That is, northwest Mesopotamia