A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, Jacob
1Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
2The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
3He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
4Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;
5Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
6Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
7He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
8And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.
9And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.
10I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
11Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.
12And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
13And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
14Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.
A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob
1 Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.
2 Yahweh also has a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him.
3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he contended with God.
4 Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us,
5 even Yahweh, the God of Armies; Yahweh is his name of renown!
6 Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.
7 A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand. He loves to defraud.
8 Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich, I have found myself wealth. In all my wealth they won’t find in me any iniquity that is sin.”
9 “But I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt. I will yet again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.
10 I have also spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.
11 If Gilead is wicked, surely they are worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls. Indeed, their altars are like heaps in the furrows of the field.
12 Jacob fled into the country of Aram, and Israel served to get a wife, and for a wife he tended flocks and herds.
13 By a prophet Yahweh brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.
14 Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger. Therefore his blood will be left on him, and his Lord will repay his contempt.
A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob
1 Ephraim a chases the wind
and pursues the east wind all day long;
he multiplies lies and violence;
he makes a covenant with Assyria
and sends olive oil to Egypt.
2 The LORD also brings a charge against Judah.
He will punish Jacob b according to his ways
and repay him according to his deeds.
3 In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel,
and in his vigor he wrestled with God.
4 Yes, he struggled with the angel c and prevailed;
he wept and sought His favor;
he found Him at Bethel
and spoke with Him there d —
5 the LORD is the God of Hosts—
the LORD is His name of renown.
6 But you must return to your God,
maintaining love and justice,
and always waiting on your God.
7 A merchant loves to defraud
with dishonest scales in his hands.
8 And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become!
I have found wealth for myself.
In all my labors, they can find in me
no iniquity that is sinful.”
9 But I am the LORD your God
ever since the land of Egypt.
I will again make you dwell in tents,
as in the days of the appointed feast.
10 I spoke through the prophets
and multiplied their visions;
I gave parables through the prophets.
11 Is there iniquity in Gilead?
They will surely come to nothing.
Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal?
Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stones
in the furrows of the field.
12 Jacob fled to the land of Aram e
and Israel worked for a wife—
for a wife he tended sheep.
13 But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt,
and by a prophet he was preserved.
14 Ephraim has provoked bitter anger,
so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt upon him
and repay him for his contempt.
Footnotes:
1 a That is, the northern kingdom of Israel; also in verses 8 and 14
2 b Jacob means he grasps the heel or he deceives .
4 c Or Angel
4 d LXX and Syriac; MT and there He spoke with us
12 e That is, northwest Mesopotamia
A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, Jacob
1Ephraim is enjoying wind, And is pursuing an east wind, All the day lying and spoiling he multiplieth, And a covenant with Asshur they make, And oil to Egypt is carried.
2And a controversy hath Jehovah with Judah, To lay a charge on Jacob according to his ways, According to his doings He returneth to him.
3In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And by his strength he was a prince with God,
4Yea, he is a prince unto the Messenger, And he overcometh by weeping, And he maketh supplication to Him, At Bethel He doth find him, And there He doth speak with us,
5Even Jehovah, God of the Hosts, Jehovah is His memorial.
6And thou, through thy God, dost turn, Kindness and judgment keep thou, And wait on thy God continually.
7Canaan! in his hand are balances of deceit! To oppress he hath loved.
8And Ephraim saith: 'Surely I have become rich, I have found wealth for myself, All my labours -- they find not against me iniquity that is sin.'
9And I -- Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt, Again do I turn thee back into tents, As in the days of the appointed time.
10And I have spoken unto the prophets, And I have multiplied vision, And by the hand of the prophets I use similes.
11Surely Gilead is iniquity, Only, vanity they have been, In Gilead bullocks they have sacrificed, Also their altars are as heaps, on the furrows of a field.
12And Jacob doth flee to the country of Aram, And Israel doth serve for a wife, Yea, for a wife he hath kept watch.
13And by a prophet hath Jehovah brought up Israel out of Egypt, And by a prophet it hath been watched.
14Ephraim hath provoked most bitterly, And his blood on himself he leaveth, And his reproach turn back to him doth his Lord!
