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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.
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2.
The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds.
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3.
In the womb he grasped his brother's heel; as a man he struggled with God.
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4.
He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor. He found him at Bethel and talked with him there--
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5.
the LORD God Almighty, the LORD is his name of renown!
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6.
But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.
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7.
The merchant uses dishonest scales; he loves to defraud.
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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."
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9.
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in the days of your appointed feasts.
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10.
I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them."
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11.
Is Gilead wicked? Its people are worthless! Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Their altars will be like piles of stones on a plowed field.
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12.
Jacob fled to the country of Aram; Israel served to get a wife, and to pay for her he tended sheep.
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13.
The LORD used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt, by a prophet he cared for him.
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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.
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