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Ephraim Multiplies Lies

12 “Ephraim surrounded Me with lies[a]
and the house of Israel with deceit.”
Though Judah roams restlessly with God,
yet he is faithful with holy things.[b]
Ephraim is grazing on wind
and pursuing the east wind.
All day he multiplies lies and ruin:
    making[c] a pact with Assyria,
    while carrying oil to Egypt.
Adonai also has a dispute with Judah:
He will punish Jacob for his ways,
    repaying him for his deeds.

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Footnotes

  1. Hosea 12:1 Traditional Christian text numbers as 11:12 to 12:14.
  2. Hosea 12:1 Or, to the Holy One.
  3. Hosea 12:2 Lit. they are making.

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.