1Efrayim is chasing the wind, pursuing the wind from the east. All day he piles up lies and desolation they make a covenant with Ashur, while sending olive oil to Egypt.
2ADONAI also has a grievance against Y'hudah; he will punish Ya'akov according to his ways and pay him back for his misdeeds.
3In the womb he took his brother by the heel; in the strength of his manhood he fought with God.
4Yes, he fought with an angel and won; he wept and pleaded with him. Then at Beit-El he found him, and there he would [later] speak with us
5Adonai ELOHEI-Tzva'ot; ADONAI is his name!
6So you, return to your God; hold fast to grace and justice; and always put your hope in your God.
7"A huckster keeps false scales, and he loves to cheat.
8Efrayim says, 'I have gotten so rich! I have made me a fortune! And in all my profits no one will find anything wrong or sinful.'
9"But I am ADONAI your God, from the land of Egypt. Again I will make you live in tents, as in the days of the established festival.
10I have spoken to the prophets; it was I who gave vision after vision; through the prophets I gave examples to show what it would all be like.
11Is Gil'ad given to iniquity? Yes, they have become worthless. In Gilgal they sacrifice to bulls; therefore their altars are like piles of stones in a plowed field."
12Ya'akov fled to the land of Aram. There Isra'el slaved to win a wife; for a wife he tended sheep.
13By a prophet ADONAI brought Isra'el up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was protected.
14Efrayim has given bitter provocation, so the penalty for his bloodshed will be thrown down on him, and his Lord will repay him for his insult.