BSB HOS Chapter 12

A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob

Ephraim[fn] 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[fn] 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[fn] and prevailed;

he wept and sought His favor

he found Him at Bethel

and spoke with Him there[fn] —

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[fn]

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.