Chapter 12 – Chapter 14

Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

1 Ephraim feeds on the wind, and pursues the east wind; Daily he multiplies falsehood and devastation: A covenant they make with the Assyrian, And oil is carried into Egypt.

2 Jehovah has also a contention with Judah; And he will visit Jacob; — according to his ways, According to his works, he will requite him.

3 In the womb he laid hold on his brother’s foot, And by his strength he had power with God;

4 And he had power with the Angel and prevailed; He wept and entreated him: In Bethel he found him; — and there he spoke with us,

5 Even Jehovah, God of hosts, — Jehovah is his memorial,

6 And thou, to thy God return; Goodness and judgment observe, And hope in thy God always.

7 Canaan! — in his hand is the balance of fraud; He loves to plunder:

8 Yet Ephraim said, “I am however become rich; I have found wealth for myself; In all my labors they shall not find in me An iniquity, which is a sin.”

9 But I, Jehovah, thy God from the land of Egypt. Will yet make thee to dwell in tents, As in the days of the assembly.

10 I have also spoken by the Prophets, And visions have I multiplied, And through the Prophets used similitudes: —

11 Is there (still) iniquity in Gilead? — Surely vain have they been: In Gilgal they have sacrificed oxen, And their altars have been as heaps On the furrows of the field.

12 Even Jacob fled to the land of Syria, And Israel served for a wife, And for a wife he kept sheep:

13 And by a Prophet did Jehovah bring Israel out of Egypt, And by a Prophet he was preserved: —

14 (Yet) Ephraim has provoked him by his high places; (446) But his blood shall on him remain, And his reproach will his Lord return to him.

Note 104. Is it not the reproach of Jacob, mentioned above, he having been in a servile state? — Ed.  

Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

1 When Ephraim spoke there was trembling; He exalted himself in Israel: But he sinned by Baal and died.

2 And now they have added to their sin, And have made for themselves what is molten, From their silver, according to their own understanding, Even idols — all being the work of artificers: To each other they, who sacrifice men, say, — “Let them kiss the calves.”

3 They shall therefore be like a morning cloud, Like the dew that rises up early, Like the chaff which is driven by a whirlwind from the floor, And like the smoke from the chimney.

4 But I, Jehovah, am thy God from the land of Egypt; And a god besides me thou shouldst not know; For a Savior, there is none except me.

5 I knew thee in the desert, in the land of droughts:

6 According to their pastures they were filled; (459) They were filled, and their heart was elevated: And hence they forgat me.

7 I will therefore be to them as a lion, As a leopard in the way I will lie in wait;

8 I will meet them as a bereaved bear, And rend the inclosure of their heart; I will devour them as a lion; — The beast of the field shall tear them.

9 Destroyed art thou, Israel, Though in me was thy help: (464)

10 I will be the same; — thy king, where is he? To save thee in all thy cities, — And thy princes? — of whom thou hast said — “Give me a king and princes.”

11 I gave thee a king in my anger, And took him away in my fury.

12 Sealed up is the iniquity of Ephraim, Laid up in store is his sin.

13 The sorrows of one in travail shall come on him; He is an unwise son; For he should not stand long in the breaking forth of children.

14 From the power of the grave would I deliver them, From death would I redeem them; I would be thy perdition, O death; I would be thy destruction, O grave: — Repentance is hid from my eyes.

15 Though among his brethren he may increase, Yet there shall come an east wind The wind of Jehovah, ascending from the desert; And it will dry up his spring, And dried shall be his fountain; It will spoil the store of every desirable vessel.

16 Desolated shall be Samaria, For she has provoked her God: By the sword shall they fall; Their infants shall be dashed in pieces, Their pregnant women shall be ripped up.

Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

1 Return, Israel, to Jehovah thy God; For thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

2 Take with you words, and turn to Jehovah, And say to him, — “Take away all iniquity, and bring good; And we shall render to thee the calves of our lips.

3 The Assyrian shall not save us, On a horse we shall not mount, And we shall not henceforth say, — Our gods,’ to the works of our hands; For in thee will the fatherless find mercy.”

4 I will heal their defections, I will love them freely; For turned aside is my fury from him.

5 I will be as dew to Israel; He shall flourish as the lily, He shall fix his roots as Libanus;

6 Spread shall his branches, And as that of the olive shall be his comeliness, And his fragrance like that of Libanus.

7 Refreshed shall they be who shall dwell under his shadow; They shall revive as the corn, and germinate like the vine His odor shall be like that of the wine of Libanus.

8 Ephraim shall say, “What have I to do any more with idols?” I have heard, and showed him favor, — “I shall be to thee a shady fir-tree; — From me is thy fruit found.” Who is wise? and he will understand these things;

9 Who is intelligent? and he will know them: For right are the ways of Jehovah, And the just shall walk in them; But in them will the ungodly stumble.