A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob

12 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.