1 a12:1 This v. is 12:2 in MT, and so throughout the chapter. “Ephraim feeds on the wind, chasing after the eastern winds, storing up lies and desolation day after day. They are making a contract with the Assyrians, and sending oil to Egypt. ISV — Hosea 12:1
2 The LORD accuses Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; he will repay him for what he does. ISV — Hosea 12:2
3 He circumvented his brother b12:3 Lit. He grabbed his brother by the heal in the womb, and as an adult he fought with God. ISV — Hosea 12:3
4 He even fought the angel and won; he cried and prayed to him. Then at Bethel he found him, and there he spoke with us— ISV — Hosea 12:4
5 the LORD God of the Heavenly Armies— the LORD is his name. c12:5 Or his traditional name ISV — Hosea 12:5
6 So you, return to your God; guard grace and justice, and look to your God always. ISV — Hosea 12:6
7 “Now as for the merchant, d12:7 MT word for merchant sounds like Canaan deceitful balances remain in his hand, and he loves to defraud. ISV — Hosea 12:7
8 Ephraim claims, ‘I have become rich, I have made a fortune! Because of all my wealth, no one will find any iniquity or sin in me.’ ISV — Hosea 12:8
9 “Yet I remain the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. I will make you live in tents again, as in the festival of that name. e12:9 i.e. the Festival of Tents ISV — Hosea 12:9
10 I spoke to the prophets, giving revelation after revelation, and employing parables in the prophetic writings. f12:10 Lit. parables by the hand of the prophets ISV — Hosea 12:10
11 “There’s iniquity in Gilead, isn’t there? They have become truly vain. They sacrifice bulls in Gilgal; their altars are like piles of stone in furrowed fields. ISV — Hosea 12:11
12 Jacob fled into the land of Aram; g12:12 i.e. Syria Israel served there to obtain his wife, tending sheep to gain h12:12 The Heb. lacks to gain his wife. ISV — Hosea 12:12
13 “By a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet he i12:13 i.e. Israel was rescued. ISV — Hosea 12:13
14 Ephraim has stirred up violent anger; therefore the guilt of his blood will remain on him, and his Lord will repay him for his contempt.” ISV — Hosea 12:14