1 The burden of the word of theLordto Israel by Malachi.
Israel Beloved of God
2 “Ihave loved you,” says theLord.
“Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’
Wasnot Esau Jacob’s brother?”
Says theLord.
“YetJacob I have loved;
3 But Esau I have hated,
Andlaid 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 theLordof hosts:
“They may build, but I willthrow down;
They shall be called the Territory of Wickedness,
And the people against whom theLordwill have indignation forever.
5 Your eyes shall see,
And you shall say,
‘TheLordis magnified beyond the border of Israel.’
Polluted Offerings
6 “A sonhonorshisfather,
And a servanthismaster.
If then I am the Father,
WhereisMy honor?
And if Iama Master,
WhereisMy reverence?
Says theLordof hosts
To you priests who despise My name.
Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’
7 “You offerdefiled food on My altar,
But say,
‘In what way have we defiled You?’
By saying,
‘The table of theLordis contemptible.’
8 Andwhen you offer the blind as a sacrifice,
Isitnot evil?
And when you offer the lame and sick,
Isitnot evil?
Offer it then to your governor!
Would he be pleased with you?
Would heaccept you favorably?”
Says theLordof hosts.
9 “But now entreat God’s favor,
That He may be gracious to us.
Whilethis is beingdoneby your hands,
Will He accept you favorably?”
Says theLordof hosts.
10 “Whoisthereeven among you who would shut the doors,
So that you would not kindle fireonMy altar in vain?
I have no pleasure in you,”
Says theLordof hosts,
“Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.
11 Forfrom the rising of the sun, even to its going down,
My nameshallbegreatamong the Gentiles;
In every placeincenseshallbeoffered to My name,
And a pure offering;
For My name shall be great among the nations,”
Says theLordof hosts.
12 “But you profane it,
In that you say,
‘The table of theLordis defiled;
And its fruit, its food,iscontemptible.’
13 You also say,
‘Oh, what aweariness!’
And you sneer at it,”
Says theLordof hosts.
“And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick;
Thus you bring an offering!
Should I accept this from your hand?”
Says theLord.
14 “But cursedbethe deceiver
Who has in his flock a male,
And takes a vow,
But sacrifices to the Lordwhat is blemished—
ForIama great King,”
Says theLordof hosts,
“And My nameistobefeared among the nations.