The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.
Israel Beloved of God
2 “Ia 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 bJacob I have loved;
3 But Esau I have hated,
And alaid waste his mountains and his heritage
For the jackals of the wilderness.”
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 athrow down;
They shall be called the Territory of Wickedness,
And the people against whom the Lord will have indignation forever.
5 Your eyes shall see,
And you shall say,
a‘The Lord is magnified beyond the border of Israel.’
Polluted Offerings
6 “A son ahonors his father,
And a servant his master.
bIf 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.
cYet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’
7 “You offer adefiled food on My altar,
But say,
‘In what way have we defiled You?’
By saying,
b‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’
8 And awhen 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 baccept you favorably?”
Says the Lord of hosts.
9 “But now entreat God’s favor,
That He may be gracious to us.
aWhile this is being done by your hands,
Will He accept you favorably?”
Says the Lord of hosts.
10 “Who is there even among you who would shut the doors,
aSo that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain?
I have no pleasure in you,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
b“Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.
11 For afrom the rising of the sun, even to its going down,
My name shall be great bamong the Gentiles;
cIn every place dincense shall be offered to My name,
And a pure offering;
eFor My name shall be great among the nations,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
12 “But you profane it,
In that you say,
a‘The table of the Lord is defiled;
And its fruit, its food, is contemptible.’
13 You also say,
‘Oh, what a aweariness!’
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!
bShould I accept this from your hand?”
Says the Lord.
14 “But cursed be athe deceiver
Who has in his flock a male,
And takes a vow,
But sacrifices to the Lord bwhat is blemished—
For cI am a great King,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“And My name is to be feared among the nations.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
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