Hosea 12

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. 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.*12.2 punish: Heb. visit upon

3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:*12.3 had…: Heb. was a prince, or, behaved himself princely 4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Beth-el, and there he spake with us; 5 Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial. 6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

7 He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.*12.7 a merchant: or, Canaan*12.7 oppress: or, deceive 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.*12.8 in all…: or, all my labours suffice me not: he shall have punishment of iniquity in whom is sin*12.8 that: Heb. which 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. 10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.*12.10 ministry: Heb. hand 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. 12 And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep. 13 And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he 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.*12.14 most…: Heb. with bitternesses*12.14 blood: Heb. bloods

斥责雅各和犹大的罪

1 "以法莲吃风，

整天追赶东风，

增添虚谎和强暴。

他们与亚述结盟，

又给埃及送油。"*本节在《马索拉文本》为12:2

2 耶和华与犹大争辩；

他必照雅各所行的惩罚他，

按他所作的报应他。

3 他在母腹中抓住他哥哥的脚跟，

壮年的时候又与　神角力。

4 他与天使角力，并且得胜；

他哀哭，向他求恩。

他在伯特利遇见　神，

神在那里对他说话。

5 耶和华是万军的　神，

耶和华是他的名号。

6 所以你要靠着你的　神归回，

谨守忠信和公平，

常常等候你的　神。

斥责以法莲的罪行及其重罚

7 以色列是个商人，手里拿着诡诈的天平，喜爱欺压别人。

8 以法莲说："我成了富翁，

我为自己发了财；

在我所有的收益中，

人不能找出我有甚么罪孽，可算为罪恶的。"

9 "自从你出埃及地以来，

我就是耶和华你的　神；

我必使你再住在帐棚里，

像在节日的日子一样，

10 我曾对先知说话，

加添许多异象；

又藉先知说比喻。

11 在基列仍有罪孽，

他们实在是没有价值的。

他们在吉甲献牛犊为祭，

他们的祭坛好象田间犁沟中的石堆。"

12 从前雅各逃到亚兰地，

以色列为得妻子而作工，

为得妻子而替人放羊。

13 后来，耶和华借着一位先知把以色列从埃及领上来，

也借着一位先知，以色列得蒙看顾。

14 以法莲大大地惹了主的烈怒，

所以，他的主把他流人血的罪归到他身上，把他当受的羞辱归给他。