1. 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.

2. The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him. {punish: Heb. visit upon}

3. He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: {had...: Heb. was a prince, or, behaved himself princely}

4. 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;

5. Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD {is} his memorial.

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

7. {He is} a merchant, the balances of deceit {are} in his hand: he loveth to oppress. {a merchant: or, Canaan} {oppress: or, deceive}

8. 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. {in all...: or, all my labours suffice me not: he shall have punishment of iniquity in whom is sin} {that: Heb. which}

9. 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.

10. I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. {ministry: Heb. hand}

11. {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.

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

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

14. Ephraim provoked {him} to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him. {most...: Heb. with bitternesses} {blood: Heb. bloods}