1
"Ephraim feeds on the wind, And pursues the east wind; He daily increases lies and desolation. Also they make a covenant with the Assyrians, And oil is carried to Egypt.
2
"The Lord also brings a charge against Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; According to his deeds He will recompense him.
3
He took his brother by the heel in the womb, And in his strength he struggled with God.
4
Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favor from Him. He found Him in Bethel, And there He spoke to us--
5
That is, the Lord God of hosts. The Lord is His memorable name.
6
So you, by the help of your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually.
7
"A cunning Canaanite! Deceitful scales are in his hand; He loves to oppress.
8
And Ephraim said, 'Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors They shall find in me no iniquity that is sin.'
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 have also spoken by the prophets, And have multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets."
11
Though Gilead has idols-- Surely they are vanity-- Though they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal, Indeed their altars shall be heaps in the furrows of the field.
12
Jacob fled to the country of Syria; Israel served for a spouse, And for a wife he tended sheep.
13
By a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, And by a prophet he was preserved.
14
Ephraim provoked Him to anger most bitterly; Therefore his Lord will leave the guilt of his bloodshed upon him, And return his reproach upon him.