Shared Word Translation
Hosea 12
Ephraim Feeds on Wind
Ephraim feeds on wind
and pursues the east wind all day.
He multiplies falsehood and violence.
They make a covenant with Assyria,
and oil is carried to Egypt.
The LORD has a case against Judah
and will attend to Jacob
according to his ways;
according to his deeds
he will repay him.
Jacob Struggled with God
In the womb he took his brother by the heel,
and in his strength
he struggled with God.
He struggled with the messenger
and prevailed;
he wept and sought favor from him.
At Bethel he found him,
and there he spoke with us—
the LORD, the God of Hosts;
the LORD is his memorial name.
So you,
return to your God;
keep steadfast love and justice,
and wait continually
for your God.
A Merchant with False Scales
A merchant has
deceptive scales in his hand;
he loves to oppress.
Ephraim says,
“Surely I have become rich;
I have found wealth for myself.
In all my labor
they will find in me no guilt
that is sin.”
But I am the LORD your God
from the land of Egypt.
I will make you live in tents again
as in the days
of the appointed festival.
I Spoke through the Prophets
I spoke to the prophets;
I multiplied visions,
and through the prophets
I gave parables.
If Gilead is wickedness,
surely they will become nothing.
In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls;
their altars will become
like heaps of stones
beside the furrows of a field.
Israel Was Guarded by a Prophet
Jacob fled
to the field of Aram;
Israel served for a wife,
and for a wife
he guarded sheep.
By a prophet
the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt,
and by a prophet
he was guarded.
Ephraim provoked bitter anger;
so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt upon him
and return his reproach
upon him.