Hosea 12

2The LORD has an accusation to bring against the people of Judah; he is also going to punish Israel for the way her people act. He will pay them back for what they have done.

3Their ancestor Jacob struggled with his twin brother Esau while the two of them were still in their mother's womb; when Jacob grew up, he fought against God —[#Gen 25.26; #Gen 32.24–26]

4he fought against an angel and won. He wept and asked for a blessing. And at Bethel God came to our ancestor Jacob and spoke with him.[#Gen 28.10–22; #12.4 Some ancient translations him ; Hebrew us.]

5This was the LORD God Almighty — the LORD is the name by which he is to be worshipped.

6So now, descendants of Jacob, trust in your God and return to him. Be loyal and just, and wait patiently for your God to act.

Further Words of Judgement

7The LORD says, “The people of Israel are as dishonest as the Canaanites; they love to cheat their customers with false scales.

8‘We are rich,’ they say. ‘We've made a fortune. And no one can accuse us of getting rich dishonestly.’

9But I, the LORD your God who led you out of Egypt, I will make you live in tents again, as you did when I came to you in the desert.[#Lev 23.42–43]

10“I spoke to the prophets and gave them many visions, and through the prophets I gave my people warnings.

11Yet idols are worshipped in Gilead, and those who worship them will die. Bulls are sacrificed in Gilgal, and the altars there will become piles of stone in the open fields.”

12Our ancestor Jacob had to flee to Mesopotamia, where, in order to get a wife, he worked for another man and took care of his sheep.[#Gen 29.1–20]

13The LORD sent a prophet to rescue the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt and to take care of them.[#Ex 12.50–51]

14The people of Israel have made the LORD bitterly angry; they deserve death for their crimes. Their Lord will punish them for the disgrace they have brought on him.

Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.
Published by: British & Foreign Bible Society