A Charge against Israel and Judah
Hosea 12, verse 1. “Ephraim has encompassed me with falsehood, And the house of Israel and Judah with ungodliness. But now God knows them, And he shall be called God's holy people. Hosea 12, verse 2. But Ephraim is an evil spirit. He has chased the east wind all the day. He has multiplied empty and vain things And struck a covenant with the Assyrians. He made business with oil in Egypt. Hosea 12, verse 3. “The Lord has a judgment against Judah So as to punish Jacob according to his ways, And He will repay him according to / his practices. Hosea 12, verse 4. He kicked his brother in the womb, And in his toils he regained strength with God. Hosea 12, verse 5. He prevailed with the Angel and was strong. They wept and entreated Me. They found Me in Bethel, And there a word was spoken to them. Hosea 12, verse 6. So the Lord God Almighty shall be his memorial. Hosea 12, verse 7. You shall return to your God; Therefore, observe mercy and judgment, And draw near to your God continually. Hosea 12, verse 8. “As for Canaan, There is a balance of wrongdoing in his hand, For he has loved to oppress. Hosea 12, verse 9. As for Ephraim, he said, ‘Nevertheless, I am rich; I have found relief for myself.’ But none of his labors shall be found in him, Because of the wrongdoings by which he sinned. Hosea 12, verse 10. “But I the Lord your God brought you up Out of the land of Egypt. I will yet again cause you to dwell in tents According to the days of the feast. Hosea 12, verse 11. For I will speak to the prophets, And I have multiplied visions, And by the authority of the prophets I was represented.” Hosea 12, verse 12. If Gilead does not exist, Then the leaders in Gilead were false when they sacrificed, And their altars were like mounds on a parched field. Hosea 12, verse 13. Jacob retreated into the plain of Syria, And Israel served for a wife And kept watch for a wife. Hosea 12, verse 14. The Lord brought Israel Out of the land of Egypt by a prophet, And by a prophet he was preserved. Hosea 12, verse 15. Ephraim was angry and excited; Therefore his blood shall be poured out upon him, And the Lord shall repay him for his disgrace.