 1 Ephraim feeds on wind and follows after the east wind. He daily multiplies lies and cruelty. They make a covenant with the Assyrians and oil is carried into Egypt. 2 The Lord also has a quarrel with Judah and will punish Jacob according to his ways. According to his doings He will repay him. 3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God. 4 Yes, he wept and cried out to Him, and he had power over the angel and overcame. He found him in Bethel and spoke with us there. 5 Even the Lord God of hosts, the Lord is his memorial. 6 Therefore turn to your God. Keep mercy and judgment, and wait on your God forever. 7 He is a merchant. The scales of deceit are in his hand. He loves to oppress. 8 Ephraim said, Yet I have become rich, I have found much wealth for myself. In all my labors they will find in me no iniquity that is sin. 9 I the Lord, who have been your God from the land of Egypt, will yet make you to live in tents as in the days of the appointed feast. 10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions and have used parables by the hand of the prophets. 11 Is there iniquity in Gilead? Surely they are vanity. They sacrifice bulls in Gilgal. Yes, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields. 12 Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept watch. 13 By a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was kept safe. 14 Ephraim provoked me to anger most bitterly. Therefore he will leave his blood on him, and his Lord will turn his reproach to him.
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