The Darby Translation DBY
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and pursueth after the east wind: all day long he multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.
1
The people of Ephraim try to catch the wind and try to chase the east wind all day. They are very violent and destructive. They make treaties with Assyria and take olive oil to Egypt.
2 Jehovah hath also a controversy with Judah, and he will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
2
The LORD brings charges against Judah and punishes Jacob because of the way their people act. He will pay them back for what they have done.
3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he wrestled with God.
3
Their ancestor Jacob held on to his brother's heel while the two of them were in their mother's womb. When Jacob became a man, he struggled with God.
4 Yea, he wrestled with the Angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spoke with us,
4
He struggled with the Messenger and won. Jacob cried and pleaded with him. Jacob found him at Bethel, and he talked with him there.
5 -- even Jehovah, the God of hosts, -- Jehovah is his memorial.
5
The LORD is the God of Armies. The LORD is the name by which he is remembered.
6 And thou, return unto thy God: keep loving-kindness and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
6
Return to your God. Be loyal and fair, and always wait with hope for your God.
7 [He is] a merchant, balances of deceit are in his hand; he loveth to oppress.
7
[The LORD says,] "The merchants use dishonest scales. They love to cheat people.
8 And Ephraim saith, Nevertheless I am become rich, I have found me out substance; in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.
8
The people of Ephraim say, 'We're rich. We've made a fortune. With all this wealth, no one will find us guilty of any sin.'
9 But I [that am] Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt will again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the solemn feast.
9
I am the LORD your God. I brought you out of Egypt. I will make you live in tents again as you did during your appointed festivals.
10 And I have spoken to the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and by means of the prophets have I used similitudes.
10
I spoke to the prophets and gave them many visions. I taught lessons through the prophets."
11 If Gilead is iniquity, surely they are but vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.
11
The people of Gilead are evil. They are worthless. They sacrifice bulls in Gilgal. But their altars will become like piles of rubble beside a plowed field.
12 And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept [sheep].
12
Jacob fled to the country of Syria. Israel worked to get a wife; he took care of sheep to pay for her.
13 And by a prophet Jehovah brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
13
The LORD used a prophet to bring the people of Israel out of Egypt. He used a prophet to take care of them.
14 Ephraim provoked [him] to anger most bitterly; and his Lord shall leave his blood upon him, and recompense unto him his reproach.
14
The people of Ephraim made the LORD bitter. He will hold them guilty of murder. The Lord will pay them back for their insults.
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GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.