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Ephraim Reminded

^1 (F1)Ephraim feeds on ^(C1)wind,
And pursues the ^(C2)east wind continually;
He multiplies lies and violence.
Moreover, ^(F2)he makes a covenant with Assyria,
And oil is carried to Egypt.

² The LORD also has a ^(C1)dispute with Judah,
And will punish Jacob ^(C2)according to his ways;
He will repay him according to his deeds.

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

⁴ Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed;
He wept and ^(C1)sought His favor.
He found Him at ^(C2)Bethel
And there He spoke with us,

⁵ Even the LORD, the God of hosts,
The LORD is His ^(F1)(C1)name.

⁶ Therefore, ^(C1)return to your God,
^(C2)Observe ^(F1)kindness and justice,
And ^(C3)wait for your God continually.

⁷ A ^(F1)merchant, in whose hands are false ^(C1)balances,
He loves to oppress.

⁸ And Ephraim said, "Surely I have become ^(C1)rich,
I have found wealth for myself;
In all my labors they will find in me
^(C2)No iniquity, which would be sin."

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

¹⁰ I have also spoken to the ^(C1)prophets,
And I ^(F1)gave numerous visions,
And through the prophets I gave ^(C2)parables.

¹¹ Is there iniquity in Gilead?
Surely they are worthless.
In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls,
Yes, ^(C1)their altars are like the stone heaps
Beside the furrows of the field.

¹² Now ^(C1)Jacob fled to the ^(F1)land of Aram,
And ^(C2)Israel worked for a wife,
And for a wife he kept sheep.

¹³ But by a ^(C1)prophet the LORD brought Israel from Egypt,
And by a prophet he was kept.

^14 (C1)Ephraim has provoked to bitter anger;
So his Lord will leave his ^(C2)bloodguilt on him
And bring back his ^(C3)reproach to him.