12:1 Ephraim feeds on wind and chases the east wind all day. He multiplies lies and violence. They make a treaty with Assyria, and olive oil is carried to Egypt.
12:2 The Lord has a case against Judah. He will deal with Jacob according to his ways. According to his deeds he will repay him.
12:3 In the womb Jacob grasped his brother by the heel, and when he was a grown man, he struggled with God.
12:4 He wrestled with the Angel and prevailed. He wept and sought his favor. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with him,
12:5 namely, with the Lord, the God of Armies. The Lord is the name by which he is to be remembered!
12:6 So return to your God. Observe mercy and justice, and wait for your God continually.
12:7 A merchant has fraudulent scales in his hand. He loves to defraud others.
12:8 Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich. I have secured wealth for myself. Among all my possessions no one will find anything that makes me guilty of sin.”
12:9 But I have been the Lord your God from the time you left the land of Egypt. I will make you dwell in tents again, as in the days of the appointed festival.
12:10 I have spoken to the prophets. I have given numerous visions. I taught meaningful lessons through the prophets.
12:11 Since Gilead is wicked, it is certain that they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Yes, their altars are like piles of stones in the furrows of a field.
12:12 Jacob fled to the territory of Aram. Israel worked as a servant to get a wife, and for a wife, he took care of sheep.
12:13 By a prophet, the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet he took care of Israel.
12:14 Ephraim has provoked bitter anger. Therefore his Lord will leave him bloodied by his guilt and bring his disgrace back on him.
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