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A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, Jacob

¹ Ephraim chases the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; he multiplies lies and violence; he makes a covenant with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.² The LORD also brings a charge against Judah. He will punish Jacob^(a) according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.³ In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, and in his vigor he wrestled with God.⁴ Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor; he found Him at Bethel, and there He spoke with us—⁵ the LORD is the God of Hosts—the LORD is His name of renown.⁶ But you must return to your God, maintaining love and justice, and always waiting on your God.

⁷ A merchant loves to defraud with dishonest scales in his hands.⁸ And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become; I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors, they can find in me no iniquity that is sinful.”⁹ But I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt. I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast.¹⁰ I spoke through the prophets and multiplied their visions; I gave parables through the prophets.¹¹ Is there iniquity in Gilead? They will surely come to nothing. Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stones in the furrows of the field.¹² Jacob fled to the land of Aram^(a) and Israel worked for a wife—for a wife he tended sheep.¹³ But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.¹⁴ Ephraim has provoked bitter anger, so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt upon him and repay him for his contempt.