[1] Ephraim feeds on the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; he multiplies lies and violence; he makes a covenant with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt. [2] The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah. He will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds. [3] In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, and in his vigor he wrestled with God. [4] Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor; he found Him at Bethel and spoke with Him there — [5] the LORD God of Hosts, the LORD is His name of renown. [6] But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and always wait on your God. [7] A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands. [8] And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become! I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors, they can find in me no iniquity that is sinful.” [9] But I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt. I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast. [10] I spoke through the prophets and multiplied their visions; I gave parables through the prophets. [11] Is there iniquity in Gilead? They will surely come to nothing. Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stones in the furrows of the field. [12] Jacob fled to the land of Aram and Israel worked for a wife —for a wife he tended sheep. [13] But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved. [14] Ephraim has provoked bitter anger, so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt upon him and repay him for his contempt.
