Hosea 12:1-8 ▼

1 Ephraim continually feeds on the wind; he chases the east wind all day; he multiplies lies and violence. They make treaties with Assyria, and send olive oil as tribute to Egypt.

2 The LORD also has a covenant lawsuit against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.

3 In the womb he attacked his brother; in his manly vigor he struggled with God.

4 He struggled with an angel and prevailed; he wept and begged for his favor. He found God at Bethel, and there he spoke with him!

5 As for the LORD God Almighty, the LORD is the name by which he is remembered!

6 But you must return to your God, by maintaining love and justice, and by waiting for your God to return to you.

7 The businessmen love to cheat; they use dishonest scales.

8 Ephraim boasts, |I am very rich! I have become wealthy! In all that I have done to gain my wealth, no one can accuse me of any offense that is actually sinful.|