1 “Ephraimfeeds on the wind,
And pursues the east wind;
He daily increases lies and desolation.
# Also they make a covenant with the Assyrians,
# Andoil is carried to Egypt.
2 “TheLordalsobringsa charge against Judah,
And will punish Jacob according to his ways;
According to his deeds He will recompense him.
3 He took his brotherby the heel in the womb,
# And in his strength hestruggled with God.
4 Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed;
He wept, and sought favor from Him.
# He found HiminBethel,
And there He spoke to us—
5 That is, theLordGod of hosts.
# TheLordisHismemorable name.
6 So you, bythehelpofyour God, return;
Observe mercy and justice,
And wait on your God continually.
7 “A cunning Canaanite!
# Deceitful scalesarein his hand;
He loves to oppress.
8 And Ephraim said,
# ‘Surely I have become rich,
I have found wealth for myself;
Inall my labors
They shall find in me no iniquity thatissin.’
9 “But IamtheLordyour 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 ThoughGileadhasidols—
Surely they are vanity—
# Though they sacrifice bulls inGilgal,
Indeed their altarsshallbeheaps in the furrows of the field.
12 Jacobfled to the country of Syria;
# Israel served for a spouse,
And for a wife he tendedsheep.
13 By a prophet theLordbrought Israel out of Egypt,
And by a prophet he was preserved.
14 EphraimprovokedHimto anger most bitterly;
Therefore his Lord will leave the guilt of his bloodshed upon him,
# And return his reproach upon him.