Hosea 12

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Ephraim feeds on wind and follows burning heat; all day long he multiplies lies and desolation. And he has entered into a pact with the Assyrians, and he has carried oil into Egypt.	1 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, the house of Israel, with deceit; Judah is still rebellious against God, against the Holy One, who is faithful.
2 Therefore, the judgment of the Lord is with Judah and a visitation is upon Jacob. He will repay him according to his ways and according to his inventions.	2 Ephraim chases the wind, ever pursuing the gale. His lies and falsehoods are many: he comes to terms with Assyria, and carries oil to Egypt.
3 In the womb, he supplanted his brother; for in his good fortune, he had been guided by an angel.	3 The LORD has a grievance against Israel: he shall punish Jacob for his conduct, for his deeds he shall repay him.
4 And he prevailed over an angel, for he had been strengthened. He wept and petitioned him. He found him in Bethel, and there he has spoken to us.	4 In the womb he supplanted his brother, and as a man he contended with God;
5 And the Lord God of hosts, the Lord is his memorial.	5 He contended with the angel and triumphed, entreating him with tears. At Bethel he met God and there he spoke with him:
6 And so, you should convert to your God. Keep mercy and judgment, and have hope in your God always.	6 The LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD is his name!
7 Canaan, in his hand is a deceitful balance, he has chosen false accusations.	7 You shall return by the help of your God, if you remain loyal and do right and always hope in your God.
8 And Ephraim has said, “Nevertheless, I have become rich; I have found an idol for myself. All of my labors will not reveal to me the iniquity that I have committed.”	8 A merchant who holds a false balance, who loves to defraud!
9 And I, the Lord your God from the land of Egypt, nevertheless will cause you to dwell in tabernacles, just as during the days of the feast.	9 Though Ephraim says, "How rich I have become; I have made a fortune!" All his gain shall not suffice him for the guilt of his sin.
10 And I have spoken through the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and I have used parables through the hands of the prophets.	10 I am the LORD, your God, since the land of Egypt; I will again have you live in tents, as in that appointed time.
11 If Gilead is an idol, then they have been sacrificing cattle in Gilgal to no purpose. For even their altars are like clutter on the soil of the field.	11 I granted many visions and spoke to the prophets, through whom I set forth examples.
12 Jacob fled into the region of Syria, and Israel served like a wife, and was served by a wife.	12 In Gilead is falsehood, they have come to nought, in Gilgal they sacrifice to bullocks; Their altars are like heaps of stones in the furrows of the field.
13 Yet by a prophet the Lord led Israel out of Egypt, and he was served by a prophet.	13 When Jacob fled to the land of Aram, he served for a wife; for a wife Israel tended sheep.
14 Ephraim has provoked me to wrath with his bitterness, and his blood will overcome him, and his Lord will requite him for his shamefulness.	14 By a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet they were protected.
	15 Ephraim has exasperated his lord; therefore he shall cast his blood-guilt upon him and repay him for his outrage.