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12 Ephraim feeds on the wind
    and chases after the east wind all day long.
    He multiplies lies and devastation.
They make a covenant with Assyria,
    and oil is carried to Egypt.

A History of Rebellion

The Lord has a dispute with Judah,
    and will punish Jacob according to his ways,
    and repay him according to his doings.
In the womb, he took his brother by the heel,
    and by his strength he strove with God.

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12 [a]Ephraim(A) feeds on the wind;(B)
    he pursues the east wind all day
    and multiplies lies and violence.(C)
He makes a treaty with Assyria(D)
    and sends olive oil to Egypt.(E)
The Lord has a charge(F) to bring against Judah;(G)
    he will punish(H) Jacob[b] according to his ways
    and repay him according to his deeds.(I)
In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel;(J)
    as a man he struggled(K) with God.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 12:1 In Hebrew texts 12:1-14 is numbered 12:2-15.
  2. Hosea 12:2 Jacob means he grasps the heel, a Hebrew idiom for he takes advantage of or he deceives.