A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob

1Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel)a feeds on the wind {ruach}

and pursues the east wind all day long;

he multiplies lies and violence;

he makes a covenant with Assyria (a step)

and sends olive oil to Egypt (land of bondage).

2The LORD {YHWH} has a charge to bring against Judah (praised).

He will punish Jacob (he grasps the heel)b according to his ways

and repay him according to his deeds.

3In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel,

and in his vigor he wrestled with God {Elohim}.

4Yes, he struggled with the angel (Angel)c and prevailed;

he wept and sought His favor (house of God);

he found Him at Bethel

and spoke with Him there [and there He spoke with us]d —

5the LORD God {YHWH Elohe} of Hosts,

the LORD is His name of renown.

6But you must return to your God {Elohim};

maintain love and justice,

and always wait on your God.

7A merchant (lowland) loves to defraud

with dishonest scales in his hands.

8And Ephraim (doubly fruitful) boasts: “How rich I have become!

I have found wealth for myself.

In all my labors, they can find in me

no iniquity that is sinful.”

9But I am the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka}

ever since the land of Egypt (land of bondage).

I will again make you dwell in tents,

as in the days of the appointed feast.

10I spoke through the prophets

and multiplied their visions;

I gave parables through the prophets.

11Is there iniquity in Gilead (rocky region)?

They will surely come to nothing.

Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal (a wheel)?

Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stones

in the furrows of the field.

12Jacob (he grasps the heel) fled to the land of Aram (northwest Mesopotamia)e

and Israel (he wrestles with God) worked for a wife—

for a wife he tended sheep.

13But by a prophet the LORD {YHWH} brought Israel (he wrestles with God) out of Egypt (land of bondage),

and by a prophet he was preserved.

14Ephraim (doubly fruitful) has provoked bitter anger,

so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt upon him

and repay him for his contempt.