New International Version NIV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 Ephraim feeds on the wind; he pursues the east wind all day and multiplies lies and violence. He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.
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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 has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.
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The LORD has an indictment against Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways, and requite him according to his deeds.
3 In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel; as a man he struggled with God.
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In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God.
4 He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor. He found him at Bethel and talked with him there—
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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 the LORD God Almighty, the LORD is his name!
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the LORD the God of hosts, the LORD is his name:
6 But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.
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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 The merchant uses dishonest scales and loves to defraud.
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A trader, in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress.
8 Ephraim boasts, “I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin.”
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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 “I have been the LORD your God ever since you came out of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of your appointed festivals.
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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 spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them.”
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I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets gave parables.
11 Is Gilead wicked? Its people are worthless! Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Their altars will be like piles of stones on a plowed field.
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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 Jacob fled to the country of Aram ; Israel served to get a wife, and to pay for her he tended 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 The LORD used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt, by a prophet he cared for him.
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By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.
14 But Ephraim has aroused his bitter anger; his Lord will leave on him the guilt of his bloodshed and will repay him for his contempt.
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E'phraim has given bitter provocation; so his LORD will leave his bloodguilt upon him, and will turn back upon him his reproaches.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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.