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.12.2 punish: Heb. visit upon
3¶ He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:12.3 had…: Heb. was a prince, or, behaved himself princely 4Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Beth-el, 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.
7¶ He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.12.7 a merchant: or, Canaan12.7 oppress: or, deceive 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.12.8 in all…: or, all my labours suffice me not: he shall have punishment of iniquity in whom is sin12.8 that: Heb. which 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.12.10 ministry: Heb. hand 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.12.14 most…: Heb. with bitternesses12.14 blood: Heb. bloods
1“以法莲以风为食，
整天追逐东风，
虚谎和暴力日益增多；
他跟亚述结盟，
向埃及进贡橄榄油。”
2耶和华指控犹大；
要按雅各所行的惩罚他，
照雅各所做的报应他。
3雅各在母胎之中曾抓住哥哥的脚跟，
壮年之时曾跟上帝角力。
4他跟天使角力得胜，
向天使哭求福分。
他在伯特利遇见祂，
在那里与祂说话——
5就是万军之上帝耶和华，
耶和华是祂的名。
6所以，你们要归向你们的上帝，
持守仁爱和公义，常常等候祂。
7以法莲是个不诚实的商人，
手里拿着骗人的秤，喜欢压榨人。
8以法莲说：“我发财了，
我依靠自己致富。
没有人能从我的劳碌中找出过错和罪恶。”
9耶和华说：
“从你们在埃及的时候，
我就是你们的上帝耶和华。
我要使你们再次住在帐篷里，
就像从前守节期时一样。
10我曾对先知讲话，赐给他们许多异象，
借他们用比喻警告你们。”
11基列人充满罪恶，终必灭亡。
他们在吉甲用公牛献祭，
他们的祭坛像田间犁沟里的石堆。
12雅各曾逃往亚兰，
以色列在那里为娶妻而服侍人，
为得到妻子而替人牧羊。
13耶和华借着先知带领以色列离开埃及，
也借着先知保护他。
14但以法莲却极大地触怒耶和华，
所以他的主要让他血债血还，
以羞辱还羞辱。
