Hosea 12

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 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.	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 The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.	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 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:	3 The LORD has a grievance against Israel: he shall punish Jacob for his conduct, for his deeds he shall repay him.
4 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;	4 In the womb he supplanted his brother, and as a man he contended with God;
5 Even 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 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.	6 The LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD is his name!
7 He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.	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 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.	8 A merchant who holds a false balance, who loves to defraud!
9 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.	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 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry 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 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.	11 I granted many visions and spoke to the prophets, through whom I set forth examples.
12 And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.	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 And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.	13 When Jacob fled to the land of Aram, he served for a wife; for a wife Israel tended sheep.
14 Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.	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.