Hosea 12

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