Ephraim Reminded

1Ephraim feeds on wind,
            And pursues the east wind continually;
            He multiplies lies and violence.
            Moreover, he makes a covenant with Assyria,
            And oil is carried to Egypt.

      2The LORD also has a dispute with Judah,
            And will punish Jacob according to his ways;
            He will repay him according to his deeds.

      3In the womb he took his brother by the heel,
            And in his maturity he contended with God.

      4Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed;
            He wept and sought His favor.
            He found Him at Bethel
            And there He spoke with us,

      5Even the LORD, the God of hosts,
            The LORD is His name.

      6Therefore, return to your God,
            Observe kindness and justice,
            And wait for your God continually.

      7A merchant, in whose hands are false balances,
            He loves to oppress.

      8And Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich,
            I have found wealth for myself;
            In all my labors they will find in me
            No iniquity, which would be sin.”

      9But I have been the LORD your God since the land of Egypt;
            I will make you live in tents again,
            As in the days of the appointed festival.

      10I have also spoken to the prophets,
            And I gave numerous visions,
            And through the prophets I gave parables.

      11Is there iniquity in Gilead?
            Surely they are worthless.
            In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls,
            Yes, their altars are like the stone heaps
            Beside the furrows of the field.

      12Now Jacob fled to the land of Aram,
            And Israel worked for a wife,
            And for a wife he kept sheep.

      13But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel from Egypt,
            And by a prophet he was kept.

      14Ephraim has provoked to bitter anger;
            So his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him
            And bring back his reproach to him.