12:1 Ephraim herds the wind, and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply lies and violence; they make a treaty with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt.
12:2 The Lord has a charge against Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways, and respond to him according to his deeds.
12:3 From the womb he tried to be the oldest of twin brothers; as an adult he struggled with God.
12:4 He struggled with the messenger and survived; he wept and sought his favor; he met him at Bethel, and there he spoke with him.
12:5 The Lord God of heavenly forces, the Lord is his name!
12:6 But you! Return to your God with faithful love and justice, and wait continually for your God.
12:7 He is a merchant; the means to cheat are in his hands; he loves to take advantage of others.
12:8 Ephraim has said, “I’m rich, I’ve gained wealth for myself; in all of my gain no offense has been found in me that would be sin.”
12:9 I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in former days.
12:10 I spoke to the prophets; and I multiplied visions, and through them I uttered parables.
12:11 In Gilead there is wickedness; they will surely come to nothing. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, so their altars will be like piles of stones on the rows of the field.
12:12 Jacob fled to the land of Aram; there Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept watch over livestock.
12:13 By a prophet the Lord brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was guarded.
12:14 Ephraim has given bitter offense; so the Lord will bring his crimes down on him and pay him back for his wrongdoing.
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