[0] And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines
silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I
will answer them. I will say, `They are my people'; and they will say, `The
LORD is my God.'" [1] The oracle of the word of the LORD to Israel by
Mal'achi. [2] "I have loved you," says the LORD. But you say, "How hast
thou loved us?" "Is not Esau Jacob's brother?" says the LORD. "Yet I have
loved Jacob [3] but I have hated Esau; 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, till they are called the wicked country, the
people with whom the LORD is angry for ever." [5] Your own eyes shall see
this, and you shall say, "Great is the LORD, beyond the border of Israel!"
[6] "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. You say, `How have we
despised thy name?' [7] By offering polluted food upon my altar. And you
say, `How have we polluted it?' By thinking that the LORD's table may be
despised. [8] When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that no evil?
And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that no evil? Present
that to your governor; will he be pleased with you or show you favor? says
the LORD of hosts. [9] 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. [10] Oh, that there were one among you who
would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire upon 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. [11] For from the rising of the sun to its setting
my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered
to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations,
says the LORD of hosts. [12] But you profane it when you say that the
LORD's table is polluted, and the food for it may be despised. [13] `What a
weariness this is,' you say, and you sniff at me, 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.
[14] 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 is feared among the nations.