HOSEA CH 12 Infidelity of Israel

[Instrumental] [Verse] Ephraim has surrounded me with lies, the house of Israel, with deceit; Judah still wanders about with gods, and is faithful to holy ones. Ephraim shepherds the wind, and pursues the east wind all day long. He multiplies lies and violence: They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried to Egypt. The LORD has a dispute with Judah, and will punish Jacob for his conduct, and repay him for his deeds. In the womb he supplanted his brother, and in his vigor he contended with a divine being; He contended with an angel and prevailed, he wept and entreated him. At Bethel he met with him, and there he spoke with him. [Chorus] The LORD is the God of hosts, the LORD is his name! You must return to your God. Maintain loyalty and justice and always hope in your God. [Instrumental] [Verse] A merchant who holds a false balance, he loves to extort! Ephraim has said, “How rich I have become; I have made a fortune!” All his gain will not suffice for the guilt of his sin. I the LORD have been your God, since the land of Egypt; I will again have you live in tents, as on feast days. I spoke to the prophets, I granted many visions, and through the prophets I told parables. In Gilead is falsehood, they have come to nothing; in Gilgal they sacrifice bulls, But their altars are like heaps of stones in the furrows of the field. [Chorus] The LORD is the God of hosts, the LORD is his name! You must return to your God. Maintain loyalty and justice and always hope in your God. [Instrumental] [Verse] Jacob fled to the land of Aram, and Israel served for a wife; for a wife he tended sheep. But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet Israel was tended. Ephraim has aroused bitter anger, so his Lord shall cast his bloodguilt upon him and repay him for his scorn. [Chorus] The LORD is the God of hosts, the LORD is his name! You must return to your God. Maintain loyalty and justice and always hope in your God. [Instrumental] [End]