Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he continually multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.
The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he had power with God:
yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him at Beth-el, and there he spake with us;
even the LORD, the God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
He is a trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
And Ephraim said, Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth: in all my labours they shall find in me none iniquity that were sin.
But I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt; I will yet again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.
I have also spoken unto the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes.
Is Gilead iniquity? they are altogether vanity; in Gilgal they sacrifice bullocks: yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the field.
And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
Ephraim hath provoked to anger most bitterly: therefore shall his blood be left upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.
Canonical academic citations for Hosea 12 (ERV) — copy in your preferred format.
Hosea 12 (ERV). Prime Bible, accessed July 22, 2026. https://primebible.com/erv/hosea/12.
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Jacob’s story (wrestling, weeping, serving for a wife) rebukes deceitful Ephraim who trusts in riches and foreign treaties; the LORD calls them to return with love and justice.
Marriage metaphor portrays Israel's unfaithfulness and God's persistent love.
Hosea 12 is presented with the full Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and verse-by-verse cross-references on Prime Bible — a free, nonprofit Bible study platform.