(This is) the burden of the word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi - :
“ I have loved you , ” - says the LORD. But you ask , “ How have You loved us ? ” “ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother ? ” declares the LORD. “ Yet Jacob I have loved - ,
but Esau I have hated , and I have made his mountains a wasteland - and left his inheritance to the desert jackals. ”
Though Edom may say , “ We have been devastated , but we will rebuild ... the ruins , ” this is what the LORD of Hosts says : “ They may build , but I will demolish. They will be called the Land of Wickedness , and a people with whom the LORD is indignant forever ....
You will see this with your own eyes , and you yourselves will say , ‘ The LORD is great — even beyond the borders of Israel. ’”
“ A son honors his father , and a servant his master. But if I am a father , where is My honor ? And if I am a master , where is your fear of Me ? ” says the LORD of Hosts priests who despise My name. “ But you ask , ‘ How have we despised - Your name ? ’
By presenting defiled food on My altar. But you ask , ‘ How have we defiled You ?’ By saying that the table of the LORD is contemptible ....
When you offer blind animals for sacrifice , is it not wrong ? And when you present the lame and sick (ones) , is it not wrong ? Try offering them ... to your governor ! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor ... ? ” asks the LORD of Hosts.
“ But {ask} now for God’s favor ... .... Will He be gracious ? Since this has come your hands , will He show you favor ... ? ” asks the LORD of Hosts.
“ Oh , that one would shut the temple doors , so that you would no longer kindle useless fires on My altar ! I take no pleasure says the LORD of Hosts , “ and I will accept no offering from your hands.
For My name will be great among the nations , from where the sun rises to where it sets .... In every place , incense and pure offerings (will be) presented in My name , because My name will be great among the nations , ” says the LORD of Hosts.
“ But you profane it when you say , ‘ The table of the Lord is defiled , and (as for) its fruit , its food is contemptible. ’
You also say : ‘ Oh , what a nuisance ! ’ And you turn up your nose at it , ” says the LORD of Hosts. “ You bring offerings (that are) stolen , - lame , - or sick ! - Should I accept these from your hands ? ” asks the LORD.
“ But cursed (is) the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it , but sacrifices a defective (animal) to the Lord. For I am a great King , ” says the LORD of Hosts , “ and My name (is to be) feared among the nations. (’’)