Hosea 12
New International Version

12 ^[a]¹Ephraim^(A)feeds on the wind;^(B)
    he pursues the east wind all day
    and multiplies lies and violence.^(C)
He makes a treaty with Assyria^(D)
    and sends olive oil to Egypt.^(E)
²TheLordhas a charge^(F)to bring against Judah;^(G)
    he will punish^(H)Jacob^[b]according to his ways
    and repay him according to his deeds.^(I)
³In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel;^(J)
    as a man he struggled^(K)with God.
⁴He struggled with the angel and overcame him;
    he wept and begged for his favor.
He found him at Bethel^(L)
    and talked with him there—
⁵theLordGod Almighty,
    theLordis his name!^(M)
⁶But you must return^(N)to your God;
    maintain love and justice,^(O)
    and wait for your God always.^(P)

⁷The merchant uses dishonest scales^(Q)
    and loves to defraud.
⁸Ephraim boasts,^(R)
    “I am very rich; I have become wealthy.^(S)
With all my wealth they will not find in me
    any iniquity or sin.”

⁹“I have been theLordyour God
    ever since you came out of Egypt;^(T)
I will make you live in tents^(U)again,
    as in the days of your appointed festivals.
¹⁰I spoke to the prophets,
    gave them many visions
    and told parables^(V)through them.”^(W)

¹¹Is Gilead wicked?^(X)
    Its people are worthless!
Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal?^(Y)
    Their altars will be like piles of stones
    on a plowed field.^(Z)
¹²Jacob fled to the country of Aram^[c];^(AA)
    Israel served to get a wife,
    and to pay for her he tended sheep.^(AB)
¹³TheLordused a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt,^(AC)
    by a prophet he cared for him.^(AD)
¹⁴But Ephraim has aroused his bitter anger;
    his Lord will leave on him the guilt of his bloodshed^(AE)
    and will repay him for his contempt.^(AF)

Footnotes

Hosea 12:1In Hebrew texts 12:1-14 is numbered 12:2-15.
Hosea 12:2Jacobmeanshe grasps the heel, a Hebrew idiom forhe takes advantage oforhe deceives.
Hosea 12:12That is, Northwest Mesopotamia

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Hosea 12
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Hosea 12New International Version

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Hosea 12
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