1:1 | The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. |
1:2 | "I have loved you," says the LORD. "Yet you say, `In what way have You loved us?' [Was] not Esau Jacob's brother?" Says the LORD. "Yet Jacob I have loved; |
1:3 | But Esau I have hated, And laid waste his mountains and his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness." |
1:4 | Even though Edom has said, "We have been impoverished, But we will return and build the desolate places," Thus says the LORD of hosts: "They may build, but I will throw down; They shall be called the Territory of Wickedness, And the people against whom the LORD will have indignation forever. |
1:5 | Your eyes shall see, And you shall say, `The LORD is magnified beyond the border of Israel.' |
1:6 | "A son honors [his] father, And a servant [his] master. If then I am the Father, Where [is] My honor? And if I [am] a Master, Where [is] My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, `In what way have we despised Your name?' |
1:7 | "[You] offer defiled food on My altar. But say, `In what way have we defiled You?' By saying, `The table of the LORD is contemptible.' |
1:8 | And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, [Is it] not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, [Is it] not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?" Says the LORD of hosts. |
1:9 | "But now entreat God's favor, That He may be gracious to us. [While] this is being [done] by your hands, Will He accept you favorably?" Says the LORD of hosts. |
1:10 | "Who [is there] even among you who would shut the doors, So that you would not kindle fire [on] My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you," Says the LORD of hosts, "Nor will I accept an offering from your hands. |
1:11 | For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name [shall be] great among the Gentiles; In every place incense [shall be] offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations," Says the LORD of hosts. |
1:12 | "But you profane it, In that you say, `The table of the LORD is defiled; And its fruit, its food, [is] contemptible.' |
1:13 | You also say, `Oh, what a weariness!' And you sneer at it," Says the LORD of hosts. "And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; Thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?" Says the LORD. |
1:14 | "But cursed [be] the deceiver Who has in his flock a male, And takes a vow, But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemishedFor I [am] a great King," Says the LORD of hosts, "And My name [is to be] feared among the nations. |