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12 Ephraim herds the wind[a]
    and is pursuing the east wind all day long;
he multiplies deception and violence
    and he[b] makes a treaty with Assyria,[c]
    and oil is brought to Egypt.
Yahweh has a quarrel[d] with Judah
    and will punish Jacob according to his ways
        and repay him according to his deeds.
In the womb he deceived his brother,
    and in his manhood he struggled with God.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 12:1 Or “Ephraim befriends the wind”
  2. Hosea 12:1 Hebrew “they”
  3. Hosea 12:1 Literally “cuts a covenant with Assyria”
  4. Hosea 12:2 This word in Hebrew conveys a legal setting

12 [a]Ephraim(A) feeds on the wind;(B)
    he pursues the east wind all day
    and multiplies lies and violence.(C)
He makes a treaty with Assyria(D)
    and sends olive oil to Egypt.(E)
The Lord has a charge(F) to bring against Judah;(G)
    he will punish(H) Jacob[b] according to his ways
    and repay him according to his deeds.(I)
In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel;(J)
    as a man he struggled(K) with God.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 12:1 In Hebrew texts 12:1-14 is numbered 12:2-15.
  2. Hosea 12:2 Jacob means he grasps the heel, a Hebrew idiom for he takes advantage of or he deceives.