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¹ Ephraim compasseth Me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit; and Judah is yet wayward towards God, and towards the Holy One who is faithful.² Ephraim striveth after wind, and followeth after the east wind; all the day he multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.³ The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways, according to his doings will He recompense him.⁴ In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and by his strength he strove with a godlike being;⁵ So he strove with an angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him; at Beth-el he would find him, and there he would speak with us;⁶ But the LORD, the God of hosts, the LORD is His name.

⁷ Therefore turn thou to thy God; keep mercy and justice, and wait for thy God continually.⁸ As for the trafficker, the balances of deceit are in his hand. He loveth to oppress.⁹ And Ephraim said: 'Surely I am become rich, I have found me wealth; in all my labours they shall find in me no iniquity that were sin.'¹⁰ But I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt; I will yet again make thee to dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed season.¹¹ I have also spoken unto the prophets, and I have multiplied visions; and by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes.¹² If Gilead be given to iniquity becoming altogether vanity, in Gilgal they sacrifice unto bullocks; yea, their altars shall be as heaps in the furrows of the field.¹³ And Jacob fled into the field of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.¹⁴ And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel up out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he kept.

¹⁵ Ephraim hath provoked most bitterly; therefore shall his blood be cast upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.