12:1 Ephraim feeds on wind, And chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, And oil is carried into Egypt.
12:2 Yahweh also has a controversy with Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; According to his deeds he will repay him.
12:3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel; And in his manhood he had power with God.
12:4 Indeed, he had power over the angel, and prevailed; He wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us,
12:5 Even Yahweh, the God of hosts; Yahweh is his name of renown!
12:6 Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.
12:7 A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.
12:8 Ephraim said, "Surely I have become rich, I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won't find in me any iniquity that is sin."
12:9 "But I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you to dwell in tents, As in the days of the solemn feast.
12:10 I have also spoken to the prophets, And I have multiplied visions; And by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.
12:11 If Gilead is wicked, Surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Indeed, their altars are like heaps in the furrows of the field.
12:12 Jacob fled into the country of Aram, And Israel served to get a wife, And for a wife he tended flocks and herds.
12:13 By a prophet Yahweh brought Israel up out of Egypt, And by a prophet he was preserved.
12:14 Ephraim has provoked to anger most bitterly. Therefore his blood will be left on him, And his his Lord will repay his contempt.