Hosea 12 (NIV11)
1 Ephraim feeds on the wind;he pursues the east wind all dayand multiplies lies and violence.He makes a treaty with Assyriaand sends olive oil to Egypt. 2 The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah;he will punish Jacob according to his waysand repay him according to his deeds. 3 In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel;as a man he struggled with God. 4 He struggled with the angel and overcame him;he wept and begged for his favor.He found him at Betheland talked with him there— 5 the LORD God Almighty,the LORD is his name! 6 But you must return to your God;maintain love and justice,and wait for your God always. 7 The merchant uses dishonest scalesand loves to defraud. 8 Ephraim boasts,“I am very rich; I have become wealthy.With all my wealth they will not find in meany iniquity or sin.” 9 “I have been the LORD your Godever since you came out of Egypt;I will make you live in tents again,as in the days of your appointed festivals. 10 I spoke to the prophets,gave them many visionsand told parables through them.” 11 Is Gilead wicked?Its people are worthless!Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal?Their altars will be like piles of stoneson a plowed field. 12 Jacob fled to the country of Aram;Israel served to get a wife,and to pay for her he tended sheep. 13 The LORD used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt,by a prophet he cared for him. 14 But Ephraim has aroused his bitter anger;his Lord will leave on him the guilt of his bloodshedand will repay him for his contempt.