The Lord uses prophets and visions and similitudes to guide his people, but they become rich and will not wait on the Lord—Ephraim provoked him most bitterly.

1 - Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

2 - The L ORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

3 - ¶ He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

4 - Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed : he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Beth-el, and there he spake with us ;

5 - Even the L ORD God of hosts; the L ORD is his memorial.

6 - Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

7 - ¶ He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

8 - And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

9 - And I that am the L ORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

10 - I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

11 - Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal ; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

12 - And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

13 - And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

14 - Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him.