Hosea 12

Ephraim Rebuked for Falsehood and Oppression
1	E’phra-im 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, Gen. 25.26 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: Gen. 32.24-26 he found him in Beth–el, Gen. 28.10-22 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 E’phra-im said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labors 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. Lev. 23.39-43
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 Gil’e-ad? 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. Gen. 29.1-20
13	And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, Ex. 12.50, 51 and by a prophet was he preserved.
14	E’phra-im provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.

Published by The American Bible Society

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