Hosea 12:1-3

New International Reader's Version

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.
² 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.
³ Even before Jacob was born,
    he was holding on to his brother’s heel.
When he became a man,
    he struggled with God.