JPS - Hosea - 12

12:1  Ephraim compasseth Me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; and Judah is yet wayward towards G-d, and towards the Holy One who is faithful.

12:2  Ephraim striveth after wind, and followeth after the east wind; all the day he multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

12:3  HaShem hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways, according to his doings will He recompense him.

12:4  In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and by his strength he strove with a godlike being;

12:5  So he strove with an angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him; at Beth-el he would find him, and there he would speak with us;

12:6  But HaShem, the G-d of hosts, HaShem is His name.

12:7  Therefore turn thou to thy G-d; keep mercy and justice, and wait for thy G-d continually.

12:8  As for the trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand. He loveth to oppress.

12:9  And Ephraim said: 'Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth; in all my labours they shall find in me no iniquity that were sin.'

12:10  But I am HaShem thy G-d from the land of Egypt; I will yet again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed season.

12:11  I have also spoken unto the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes.

12:12  If Gilead be given to iniquity becoming altogether vanity, in Gilgal they sacrifice unto bullocks; yea, their altars shall be as heaps in the furrows of the field.

12:13  And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

12:14  And by a prophet HaShem brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he kept.

12:15  Ephraim hath provoked most bitterly; therefore shall his blood be cast upon him, and his reproach shall his L-rd return unto him.