12:1 Ephraim feeds on the wind he pursues the east wind all day and multiplies lies and violence. He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.
12:2 The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah he will punish Jacob [Jacob means he grasps the heel (figuratively, he deceives).] according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.
12:3 In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel as a man he struggled with God.
12:4 He struggled with the angel and overcame him he wept and begged for his favour. He found him at Bethel and talked with him there
12:5 the LORD God Almighty, the LORD is his name of renown!
12:6 But you must return to your God maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.
12:7 The merchant uses dishonest scales he loves to defraud.
12:8 Ephraim boasts, I am very rich I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin.
12:9 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of [Or God ever since you were in] Egypt I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of your appointed feasts.
12:10 I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them.
12:11 Is Gilead wicked? Its people are worthless! Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Their altars will be like piles of stones on a ploughed field.
12:12 Jacob fled to the country of Aram [That is, North-west Mesopotamia] Israel served to get a wife, and to pay for her he tended sheep.
12:13 The LORD used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt, by a prophet he cared for him.
12:14 But Ephraim has bitterly provoked him to anger his Lord will leave upon him the guilt of his bloodshed and will repay him for his contempt.