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.