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Ephraim Reminded

¹ Ephraim feeds on the emptiness of the ^(C1)wind
And continually pursues the parching ^(C2)east wind which brings destruction;
Every day he multiplies lies and violence.
Further, he makes a covenant with Assyria
And (olive) oil is carried to Egypt to seek alliances. ^(VR1)

² The LORD also has a ^(C1)dispute a legal complaint and an indictment with Judah,
And He will punish Jacob ^(C2)in accordance with his ways;
He will repay him in accordance with his deeds.

³ In their mother's womb he ^(C1)took his brother by the heel,
And in his maturity he ^(C2)contended with God. ^(VR1)

⁴ He wrestled with the angel and prevailed;
He wept in repentance and ^(C1)sought His favor.
He met Him at ^(C2)Bethel
And there God spoke with him and through him with us— ^(VR1)

⁵ Even the LORD, the God of hosts,
The ^(C1)name of Him who spoke with Jacob is the LORD.

⁶ Therefore, ^(C1)return in repentance to your God,
^(C2)Observe and highly regard kindness and justice,
And ^(C3)wait expectantly for your God continually.

⁷ A merchant, in whose hand are ^(C1)false and fraudulent balances;
He loves to oppress and exploit.

⁸ Ephraim said, "I have indeed become ^(C1)rich and powerful as a nation;
I have found wealth for myself.
In all my labors they will not find in me
^(C2)Any wickedness that would be sin." ^(VR1)

⁹ But I have been the LORD your God since you became a nation in the land of Egypt;
I will make you ^(C1)live in tents again,
As in the days of the appointed and solemn ^(F1)festival. ^(VR1)

¹⁰ I have also spoken to you through the ^(C1)prophets,
And I gave them many visions to make My will known,
And through the prophets I gave ^(C2)parables to appeal to your sense of right and wrong.

¹¹ Is there wickedness (idolatry) in Gilead?
Surely the people there are worthless.
In Gilgal they defy Me when they sacrifice bulls,
^(C1)Yes, after My judgment their pagan altars are like the stone heaps
In the furrows of the fields.

^12 (C1)Now Jacob (Israel) fled into the open country of Aram (Paddan-aram), ^(VR1)
And there ^(C2)Israel (Jacob) worked and served for a wife,
And for a wife he kept sheep. ^(VR2)

¹³ And by a ^(C1)prophet (Moses) the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt,
And by a prophet Israel was preserved.

^14 (C1)Ephraim has provoked most bitter anger;
So his Lord will leave his ^(C2)bloodguilt on him invoking punishment
And bring back to him his ^(C3)shame and dishonor.