12:1 Ephraim feeds on the wind; he pursues the east wind all day and multiplies lies and violence. He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.

12:2 The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.

12:3 In the womb he grasped his brother's heel; as a man he struggled with God.

12:4 He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor. He found him at Bethel and talked with him there--

12:5 the LORD God Almighty, the LORD is his name of renown!

12:6 But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.

12:7 The merchant uses dishonest scales; he loves to defraud.

12:8 Ephraim boasts, "I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin."

12:9 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of your appointed feasts.

12:10 I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them."

12:11 Is Gilead wicked? Its people are worthless! Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Their altars will be like piles of stones on a plowed field.

12:12 Jacob fled to the country of Aram; Israel served to get a wife, and to pay for her he tended sheep.

12:13 The LORD used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt, by a prophet he cared for him.

12:14 But Ephraim has bitterly provoked him to anger; his Lord will leave upon him the guilt of his bloodshed and will repay him for his contempt.