Hosea 12

1.Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
2.The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish12-1 Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
3.He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had12-2 power with God:
4.Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;
5.Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
6.Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
7.He is a merchant12-3, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress12-4.
8.And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that12-6 were sin.12-5
9.And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.
10.I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry12-7 of the prophets.
11.Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.
12.And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
13.And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
14.Ephraim provoked him to anger most12-8 bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood12-9 upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

Notes

12-1.
punish Heb. visit upon
12-2.
had... Heb. was a prince, or, behaved himself princely
12-3.
a merchant or, Canaan
12-4.
oppress or, deceive
12-5.
in all... or, all my labours suffice me not: he shall have punishment of iniquity in whom is sin
12-6.
that Heb. which
12-7.
ministry Heb. hand
12-8.
most... Heb. with bitternesses
12-9.
blood Heb. bloods