Hosea Chapter 12 (JPS)

1 Ephraim compasseth Me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; and Judah is yet wayward towards G-d, and towards the Holy One who is faithful.

2 Ephraim striveth after wind, and followeth after the east wind; all the day he multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

3 HaShem hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways, according to his doings will He recompense him.

4 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and by his strength he strove with a godlike being;

5 So he strove with an angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him; at Beth-el he would find him, and there he would speak with us;

6 But HaShem, the G-d of hosts, HaShem is His name.

7 Therefore turn thou to thy G-d; keep mercy and justice, and wait for thy G-d continually.

8 As for the trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand. He loveth to oppress.

9 And Ephraim said: 'Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth; in all my labours they shall find in me no iniquity that were sin.'

10 But I am HaShem thy G-d from the land of Egypt; I will yet again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed season.

11 I have also spoken unto the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes.

12 If Gilead be given to iniquity becoming altogether vanity, in Gilgal they sacrifice unto bullocks; yea, their altars shall be as heaps in the furrows of the field.

13 And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

14 And by a prophet HaShem brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he kept.

15 Ephraim hath provoked most bitterly; therefore shall his blood be cast upon him, and his reproach shall his L-rd return unto him.