1
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.
2
The Lord hath also a controversy with Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
3
He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God.
4
Yea, he had power over the angel and prevailed; he wept and made supplication unto him; he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us,
5
Even the Lord God of hosts; the Lord is his memorial.
6
Therefore turn thou to thy God; keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
7
He is a merchant; the balances of deceit are in his hand; he loveth to oppress.
8
And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich; I have found me out substance; in all my labors they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.
9
And I that am the Lord, thy God, from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.
10
I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions and used similitudes by the ministry of the prophets.
11
Is there iniquity in Gilead? Surely they are vanity; they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.
12
And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
13
And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
14
Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly; therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.