Hosea 12

Ephraim 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.

Ephraim chases empty promises, constantly spreading deceit and ruin. They form alliances with the Assyrians and trade oil with Egypt.

The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

God has a charge against Judah and will punish Jacob for his ways; He will repay him according to his deeds.

He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

In their mother's womb, he grasped his brother's heel, showing his determination. As a grown man, he used his strength to wrestle with God.

Yea, 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;

Indeed, he had control over the angel, and he triumphed. He cried out, pleading with deep emotion. He encountered him in Bethel, and there, he communicated with us.

Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.

Even the Almighty God, the Lord of all; He is remembered forever.

Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy God continually.

Always turn to your God, hold onto kindness and fairness, and patiently rely on Him at all times.

He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

He's a trader, holding scales of dishonesty; he thrives on causing harm.

And 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.

Ephraim declared, "I've become wealthy, I've earned my fortune. In all my hard work, no one can find any fault or sin in me."

And 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.

But I am your God, who brought you out of Egypt, and I will make you live in tents again, just like during the days of the sacred feast.

I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

I've communicated through the prophets, giving them numerous visions and metaphors to share my message.

Is 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.

Is there wrongdoing in Gilead? Indeed, their actions are meaningless. They offer bulls in Gilgal, but their altars are just piles in the field's trenches.

And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

Jacob, filled with fear, escaped to the land of Syria. There, Israel worked tirelessly, tending sheep to earn his wife's hand in marriage.

And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

Through a messenger, God guided Israel from the chains of Egypt, and through this same messenger, He kept them safe.

Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his LORD return unto him.

Ephraim bitterly provoked God's anger. So his Lord will leave the guilt of the blood he shed on him and pay him back for his contempt.