King James Version KJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.
1
E'phraim herds the wind, and pursues the east wind all day long; they multiply falsehood and violence; they make a bargain with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt.
2 The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
2
The LORD has an indictment against Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways, and requite him according to his deeds.
3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
3
In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God.
4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;
4
He strove with the angel and prevailed, he wept and sought his favor. He met God at Bethel, and there God spoke with him--
5 Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
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the LORD the God of hosts, the LORD is his name:
6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
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"So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God."
7 He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
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A trader, in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress.
8 And Ephraim said, Yet 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
E'phraim has said, "Ah, but I am rich, I have gained wealth for myself": but all his riches can never offset the guilt he has incurred.
9 And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.
9
I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast.
10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
10
I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets gave parables.
11 Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.
11
If there is iniquity in Gilead they shall surely come to nought; if in Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, their altars also shall be like stone heaps on the furrows of the field.
12 And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
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(Jacob fled to the land of Aram, there Israel did service for a wife, and for a wife he herded sheep.)
13 And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
13
By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.
14 Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.
14
E'phraim has given bitter provocation; so his LORD will leave his bloodguilt upon him, and will turn back upon him his reproaches.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.