¹ Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily multiplieth 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.¹

1. punish: Heb. visit upon

³ He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:¹

1. had...: Heb. was a prince, or, behaved himself princely

⁴ Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication to him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke 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.¹²

1. a merchant: or, Canaan
2. oppress: or, deceive

⁸ And Ephraim said, Yet I have become rich, I have found for myself substance: in all my labours they shall find no iniquity in me that were sin.¹²

1. in all...: or, all my labours suffice me not: he shall have punishment of iniquity in whom is sin
2. that: Heb. which

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.¹

1. ministry: Heb. hand

¹¹ Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bulls 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 to him.¹²

1. most...: Heb. with bitternesses
2. blood: Heb. bloods