Add parallel Print Page Options

12 The people of Ephraim look to others for help.
    It’s like chasing the wind.
The wind they keep chasing
    is hot and dry.
They tell more and more lies.
    They are always hurting others.
They make a peace treaty with Assyria.
    They send olive oil to Egypt to get help.
The Lord is bringing charges against Judah.
    He will punish Jacob’s people
    because of how they act.
He’ll pay them back
    for the evil things they’ve done.
Even before Jacob was born,
    he was holding on to his brother’s heel.
When he became a man,
    he struggled with God.

Read full chapter

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.

Read full chapter

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.

12 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

The Lord hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

Read full chapter