12:1 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.
12:1 "Ephraim feeds on the wind, And pursues the east wind; He daily increases lies and desolation. Also they make a covenant with the Assyrians, And oil is carried to Egypt.

12:2 The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
12:2 "The LORD also brings a charge against Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; According to his deeds He will recompense him.

12:3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
12:3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, And in his strength he struggled with God.

12:4 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;
12:4 Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favor from Him. He found Him in Bethel, And there He spoke to us--

12:5 Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD [is] his memorial.
12:5 That is, the LORD God of hosts. The LORD is His memorable name.

12:6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
12:6 So you, by the help of your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually.

12:7 [He is] a merchant, the balances of deceit [are] in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
12:7 "A cunning Canaanite! Deceitful scales are in his hand; He loves to oppress.

12:8 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.
12:8 And Ephraim said, 'Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors They shall find in me no iniquity that is sin.'

12:9 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.
12:9 "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.

12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets, And have multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the witness of the prophets."

12:11 [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.
12:11 Though Gilead has idols--Surely they are vanity--Though they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal, Indeed their altars shall be heaps in the furrows of the field.

12:12 And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept [sheep].
12:12 Jacob fled to the country of Syria; Israel served for a spouse, And for a wife he tended sheep.

12:13 And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
12:13 By a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, And by a prophet he was preserved.

12:14 Ephraim provoked [him] to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.
12:14 Ephraim provoked Him to anger most bitterly; Therefore his Lord will leave the guilt of his bloodshed upon him, And return his reproach upon him.