The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.
“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you say, “How have you
loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob's brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I
have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill
country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” 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.’” Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say,
“Great is the LORD beyond the border of Israel!”
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am
a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my
fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my
name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering
polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted
you?’ By saying that the LORD's table may be despised. 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. And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be
gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor
to any of you? says the LORD of hosts. 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,
and I will not accept an offering from your hand. For from the
rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the
nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and
a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says
the LORD of hosts. But you profane it when you say that the Lord's
table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be
despised. But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at
it, says the LORD of hosts. 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. Cursed be the
cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices
to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the LORD
of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.
