^1. EPHRAIM feeds on wind, And pursues the east wind continually; He multiplies lies and violence. Moreover, [1] he makes a covenant with Assyria, And oil is carried to Egypt.

^2. The LORD also has a dispute with Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; He will repay him according to his deeds.

^3. In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his maturity he contended with God.

^4. Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed; He wept and sought His favor. He found Him at Bethel And there He spoke with us,

^5. Even the LORD, the God of hosts, The LORD is His [2] name.

^6. Therefore, return to your God, Observe [3] kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.

^7. A [4] merchant, in whose hands are false balances, He loves to oppress.

^8. And Ephraim said, «Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors they will find in me No iniquity, which would be sin.»

^9. But I have been the LORD your God since the land of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, As in the days of the appointed festival.

^10. I have also spoken to the prophets, And I [5] gave numerous visions, And through the prophets I gave parables.

^11. Is there iniquity in Gilead? Surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, Yes, their altars are like the stone heaps Beside the furrows of the field.

^12. Now Jacob fled to the [6] land of Aram, And Israel worked for a wife, And for a wife he kept sheep.

^13. But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel from Egypt, And by a prophet he was kept.

^14. Ephraim has provoked to bitter anger; So his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him And bring back his reproach to him.