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Hosea

Ephraim's Deceit and Call to Return

12
Chapter 12
1 Ephraim has surrounded me with falsehood, and the house of Israel with deceit. But Judah still rules with God and with holy ones; he is faithful. 2 Ephraim tends the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; he multiplies deceit and devastation, and they cut a covenant with Assyria, and oil is brought to Egypt. 3 And he disputed legally with the LORD with Judah, and to oversee upon Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will return to him. 4 In the womb he heeled his brother, and in his strength he strove with God. 5 And he strove with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought favor from him at Bethel; he will find us, and there he will speak with us. 6 And the LORD God of hosts, the LORD, is the one to remember. 7 And you, return to your God; keep steadfast love and justice, and wait for your God continually. 8 Canaan—in his hand are balances of deceit—he loves to oppress. 9 And Ephraim said, "Surely I have become rich; I have found iniquity for myself. All my labors—they will not find in me iniquity that sinned." 10 And I, the LORD your God from the land of Egypt, will make you dwell in tents as in the days of the appointed time. 11 And I have spoken through the prophets, and I have multiplied the vision, and through the hand of the prophets I have used likenesses. 12 If Gilead is iniquity, they were only falsehood. In Gilgal they sacrificed oxen; also their altars like heaps on furrows of fields. 13 And Jacob fled to the field of Aram, and Israel served for a woman, and for a woman he kept. 14 And by a prophet the LORD brought up Israel from Egypt, and by a prophet it was kept.