1 Ephraim shepherds the wind and pursues the east wind all day; he multiplies falsehood {kazav: empty deception} and violence {shod: ruinous oppression}, and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt.
2 The LORD {YHWH, Righteous Judge} has a dispute with Judah; He will punish Jacob according to his ways {darkav: manner of life} and will repay him according to his deeds.
3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and by his strength {ono: power or capacity} he strove with God {Elohim, Covenant Contender}.
4 And he grappled and contended with the angel {malakh: divine envoy}, and he prevailed; he wept and implored him. At Bethel {bet-El: worship sanctuary} he found him, and there he spoke with us.
5 The LORD God of hosts {YHWH Elohei hatsevaot, Supreme Commander}; the LORD is His memorial {zikro: enduring name}.
6 As for you, by your God {Elohekha, Faithful Helper}, return; keep steadfast love {chesed: loyal love} and justice, and wait for your God continually.
7 A merchant has deceitful balances {mirmah: fraudulent scales} in his hand, and he loves to oppress {laʿashoq: extort forcibly}.
8 And Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich; I have found substance for myself. In all my labors they will not find in me iniquity {avon: culpable wrong} that is sin {khet: covenant breach}.”
9 And I am the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheikha, Deliverer and Covenant Keeper} from the land of Egypt; again I will make you dwell in tents {ohalim: temporary shelters} as in the days of the festival.
10 And I spoke to the prophets, and I multiplied visions {chazon: divine revelations}, and by the hand of the prophets I made parables {adammeh: figurative sayings}.
11 Is there iniquity {aven: moral offence} in Gilead? Surely they have become vanity; in Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, and their altars are like heaps {galim: stone piles} upon the furrows of the field.
12 And Jacob fled to the open country {sedeh: agricultural region} of Aram, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he guarded {shamar: diligently watched} sheep.
13 And by a prophet the LORD {YHWH, Deliverer} brought Israel up from Egypt, and by a prophet he was guarded {nishmar: watched over}.
14 Ephraim provoked to bitter anger; his Lord {adonayv, Sovereign Judge} will leave his blood {damav: bloodguilt} upon him, and will return his reproach to him.