12 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 punish 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 had 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 merchant, the balances of deceit
are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
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 that were sin. 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 ministry 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 most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood
upon him, and his reproach shall his LORD return unto him.