God’s charge against Judah

¹Ephraim herds the wind,[#12.1 12:2 in Heb]

they multiply lies and violence;

²The LORD has a charge against Judah,

³From the womb he tried to be the oldest of twin brothers;

⁴He struggled with the messenger and survived;

he met him at Bethel,

⁵The LORD God of heavenly forces,

⁶But you! Return to your God

⁷He is a merchant; the means to cheat are in his hands;

⁸Ephraim has said,

⁹I am the LORD your God

I will make you live in tents again,

¹⁰I spoke to the prophets;

¹¹In Gilead there is wickedness;

In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls,

¹²Jacob fled to the land of Aram;

¹³By a prophet the LORD brought Israel up from Egypt,

¹⁴Ephraim has given bitter offense;