1 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind : he continually multiplieth lies and desolation ; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.
2 Jehovah hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways ; according to his doings will he recompense him.
3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel ; and in his manhood 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 at Beth-el, and there he spake with us,
5 even Jehovah, the God of hosts ; Jehovah is his memorial name.
6 Therefore turn thou to thy God : keep kindness and justice, and wait for thy God continually.
7 He is a trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand : he loveth to oppress.
8 And Ephraim said, Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth : in all my labors they shall find in me no iniquity that were sin.
9 But I am Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt ; I will yet again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.
10 I have also spoken unto the prophets, and I have multiplied visions ; and by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes.
11 Is Gilead iniquity ? they are altogether false ; in Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks ; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the field.
12 And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
13 And by a prophet Jehovah brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
14 Ephraim hath provoked to anger most bitterly : therefore shall his blood be left upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.