1Ephraim herds the wind,
and pursues the east wind all day long;
they multiply falsehood and violence;
they make a treaty with Assyria,
and oil is carried to Egypt.
The Long History of Rebellion
2The Lord has an indictment against Judah,
and will punish Jacob according to his ways,
and repay him according to his deeds.
3In the womb he tried to supplant his brother,
and in his manhood he strove with God.
4He strove with the angel and prevailed,
he wept and sought his favor;
he met him at Bethel,
and there he spoke with him.
5The Lord the God of hosts,
the Lord is his name!
6But as for you, return to your God,
hold fast to love and justice,
and wait continually for your God.
7A trader, in whose hands are false balances,
he loves to oppress.
8Ephraim has said, “Ah, I am rich,
I have gained wealth for myself;
in all of my gain
no offense has been found in me
that would be sin.”
9I am the Lord your God
from the land of Egypt;
I will make you live in tents again,
as in the days of the appointed festival.
10I spoke to the prophets;
it was I who multiplied visions,
and through the prophets I will bring destruction.
11In Gilead there is iniquity,
they shall surely come to nothing.
In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls,
so their altars shall be like stone heaps
on the furrows of the field.
12Jacob fled to the land of Aram,
there Israel served for a wife,
and for a wife he guarded sheep.
13By a prophet the Lord brought Israel up from Egypt,
and by a prophet he was guarded.
14Ephraim has given bitter offense,
so his Lord will bring his crimes down on him
and pay him back for his insults.
