Malachi 1

1 The oracle of the word of the  Lord to Israel by Malachi. ▼
▼  Malachi means my messenger

The  Lord’s Love for Israel

2  b “I have loved you,” says the  Lord. c But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau d Jacob’s brother?” declares the  Lord. “Yet e I have loved Jacob 3 but Esau I have hated. f I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” 4 If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the  Lord of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the  Lord is angry forever.’” 5  g Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the  Lord beyond the border of Israel!”

The Priests’ Polluted Offerings

6  h “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am i a father, where is my honor? And if I am j a master, where is my fear? says the  Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. k But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7  l By offering polluted food upon my altar. m But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that n the  Lord’s table may be despised. 8  o When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the  Lord of hosts. 9 And now p entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, q will he show favor to any of you? says the  Lord of hosts. 10  r Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the  Lord of hosts s and I will not accept an offering from your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name t will be ▼
▼ Or is (three times in verse 11; also verse 14)
 great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name v will be great among the nations, says the  Lord of hosts. 12 But you profane it when you say that w the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. 13 But you say, x ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the  Lord of hosts. y You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the  Lord. 14 Cursed be the cheat who has z a male in his flock, and aa vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For ab I am a great King, says the  Lord of hosts, and my name ac will be feared among the nations.

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