12:1 Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah still remains aligned with God and is faithful to the Holy One.
12:2 Ephraim chases the wind, ever pursuing the east wind throughout the day. Numerous are his lies and treachery; he makes a treaty with Assyria while sending oil to Egypt.
12:3 The Lord has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob as his conduct deserves; he will requite him according to his deeds.
12:4 While still in the womb he supplanted his brother, and as a man he struggled with God.
12:5 He contended with the angel and prevailed; he wept and entreated his favor. He met God at Bethel and spoke with him there.
12:6 The Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord is his name.
12:7 Turn back with God’s help; remain loyal and act justly, and always put your trust in him.
12:8 Merchants use dishonest scales, for they love to defraud.
12:9 Ephraim says, “I have become very rich; I have made a fortune.” But all his wealth will avail him nothing because of the guilt incurred by his sin.
12:10 I am the Lord, your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt. I will make you live in tents yet again as in the days of the appointed festival.
12:11 I spoke to the prophets, to whom I granted many visions and through whom I will speak in parables.
12:12 Gilead is a hotbed of iniquity; the people there are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls; their altars are like piles of stones on a plowed field.
12:13 Jacob fled to the country of Aram; Israel did service to obtain a wife, paying for her by tending sheep.
12:14 By a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet they were protected.
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