Hosea 12

1

Ephraim feedeth on winde, and followeth after the East winde: hee daily increaseth lies and desolation, and they doe make a couenant with the Assyrians, and oyle is caried into Egypt.

2

The LORD hath also a controuersie with Iudah, and will punish Iacob according to his wayes, according to his doings will he recompense him.

3

¶ Hee tooke his brother by the heele in the wombe, and by his strength he had power with God.

4

Yea, he had power ouer the Angel and preuailed: hee wept and made supplication vnto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with vs.

5

Euen the LORD God of hosts, the LORD is his memoriall.

6

Therefore turne thou to thy God: keepe mercie and iudgement, and wait on thy God continually.

7

¶ He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: hee loueth to oppresse.

8

And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I haue found mee out substance: in all my labours they shall finde none iniquitie in mee, that were sinne.

9

And I that am the LORD thy God from the lande of Egypt, will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the dayes of the solemne feast.

10

I haue also spoken by the prophets, and I haue multiplied visions, and vsed similitudes, by the ministerie of the prophets.

11

Is there iniquitie in Gilead? surely they are vanitie, they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal, yea their altars are as heapes in the furrowes of the fields.

12

And Iacob fled into the countrey of Syria, and Israel serued for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheepe.

13

And by a Prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a Prophet was he preserued.

14

Ephraim prouoked him to anger, most bitterly: therefore shall he leaue his blood vpon him, and his reproch shall his Lord returne vnto him.