[[Hosea 11|<< Hosea 11]] | [[Hosea|Hosea]] | [[Hosea 13|Hosea 13 >>]] ### Hosea 12 1 EPHRAIM feeds on wind, and follows after the east wind: he daily increases lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt. ^1 2 The LORD has also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him. ^2 3 ¶ He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: ^3 4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him _in_ Beth-el, and there he spoke with us; ^4 5 Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD _is_ his memorial. ^5 6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually. ^6 7 ¶ _He_ _is_ a merchant, the balances of deceit _are_ in his hand: he loves to oppress. ^7 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. ^8 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. ^9 10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. ^10 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. ^11 12 And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept _sheep_. ^12 13 And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved. ^13 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. ^14