Ephraim Reminded

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

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

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

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

5Even the LORD, the God of hosts,
         The LORD is His name.

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

7A merchant, in whose hands are false balances,
         He loves to oppress.

8And 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.”

9But 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.

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

11Is 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.

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

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

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

NASB ©1995

American Standard Version
Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he continually multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Ephraim feedeth on the wind, and followeth the burning heat: all the day long he multiplied lies and desolation: and he hath made a covenant with the Assyrians, and carried oil into Egypt.

Darby Bible Translation
Ephraim feedeth on wind, and pursueth after the east wind: all day long he multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

English Revised Version
Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he continually multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

Webster's Bible Translation
Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily multiplieth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

World English Bible
Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

Young's Literal Translation
Ephraim is enjoying wind, And is pursuing an east wind, All the day lying and spoiling he multiplieth, And a covenant with Asshur they make, And oil to Egypt is carried.Everybody's Sermon
Now it struck me that God is every day preaching to us by similitudes. When Christ was on earth he preached in parables, and, though he is in heaven now, he is preaching in parables to-day. Providence is God's sermon. The things which we see about us are God's thoughts and God's words to us; and if we were but wise there is not a step that we take, which me should not find to be full of mighty instruction. O ye sons of men! God warns you every day by his own word; he speaks to you by the lips of …
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