1 Ephraim grazes on wind and runs after the east wind; the whole day long he heaps up lies and violence. A covenant is cut with Assyria, and oil is taken down to Egypt.
2 The LORD has a dispute with Judah as well; he will call Jacob to account for his ways and pay him back for what he has done.
3 Before birth he seized his brother's heel, and in his full strength he wrestled with God.
4 He wrestled with the angel and won; he wept and pleaded with him for favor. At Bethel he found him, and there he spoke with us —
5 the LORD, the God of hosts; the LORD is the name by which he is remembered.
6 So you, return to your God; keep steadfast love and justice, and wait for your God continually.
7 A trader, false scales in his hand: cheating is what he loves.
8 And Ephraim said, "Surely I have become rich; I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors they will find in me no iniquity that would be sin."
9 But I have been the LORD your God since the land of Egypt; once more I will make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast.
10 I spoke to the prophets; I gave vision upon vision, and by the hand of the prophets I told parables.
11 Is there iniquity in Gilead? Surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls; their altars too are like heaps of stones in the furrows of the field.
12 Jacob fled to the country of Syria; Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
13 Through a prophet the LORD led Israel up out of Egypt, and through a prophet Israel was watched over.
14 Ephraim has provoked bitter anger; therefore his Lord will let his blood remain on him and will turn his insults back on him.