Hosea 12

The Lord’s Case Against Israel

1 Ephraim feeds on wind and chases the east wind all day long. They multiply lies and violence. They make deals with Assyria and send olive oil to Egypt.

2 The LORD also got a case against Judah, and He is about to punish Jacob for his ways, pay him back for what he has done.

3 In the womb he grabbed his brother’s heel, and in his strength he struggled with God.

4 He wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and begged for favor. He met God at Bethel, and there God spoke with us.

5 The LORD God of armies, the LORD is His name.

A Call to Return

6 So you, return to your God. Hold on to faithful love and justice, and always wait on your God.

Israel’s Deception

7 A merchant loves dishonest scales, he enjoys ripping people off.

8 Ephraim says, “I got rich, I made it for myself. Nobody can find anything wrong with me.”

9 But I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt. I will make you live in tents again, like in the days of the appointed festival.

10 I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions, and through them I gave examples and warnings.

11 Is there wickedness in Gilead, They surely worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, but their altars will become piles of stones in plowed fields.

12 Jacob ran to the land of Aram. Israel worked for a wife, and for a wife he guarded sheep.

13 The LORD used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet they were protected.

14 Ephraim made the LORD bitterly angry. So his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him and pay him back for his disgrace.