Hosea
1
Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, the house of Israel, with deceit; Judah is still rebellious against God, against the Holy One, who is faithful.
2
1 Ephraim chases the wind, ever pursuing the gale. His lies and falsehoods are many: he comes to terms with Assyria, and carries oil to Egypt.
3
2 The LORD has a grievance against Israel: he shall punish Jacob for his conduct, for his deeds he shall repay him.
4
In the womb he supplanted his brother, and as a man he contended with God;
5
He contended with the angel and triumphed, entreating him with tears. At Bethel he met God and there he spoke with him:
6
The LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD is his name!
7
You shall return by the help of your God, if you remain loyal and do right and always hope in your God.
8
A merchant who holds a false balance, who loves to defraud!
9
Though Ephraim says, "How rich I have become; I have made a fortune!" All his gain shall not suffice him for the guilt of his sin.
10
I am the LORD, your God, since the land of Egypt; I will again have you live in tents, as in that appointed time.
11
I granted many visions and spoke to the prophets, through whom I set forth examples.
12
In Gilead is falsehood, they have come to nought, in Gilgal they sacrifice to bullocks; Their altars are like heaps of stones in the furrows of the field.
13
When Jacob fled to the land of Aram, he served for a wife; for a wife Israel tended sheep.
14
3 By a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet they were protected.
15
Ephraim has exasperated his lord; therefore he shall cast his blood-guilt upon him and repay him for his outrage.