(“) And now this decree is for you , O priests :
If you do not listen , and if you do not take (it) to heart to honor ... My name , ” says the LORD of Hosts , “ I will send - a curse and I will curse - your blessings. Yes , I have already begun to curse them , because you are not taking it to heart.
Behold , I will rebuke - descendants , and I will spread dung on your faces , the waste from your feasts , and you will be carried off - with it.
Then you will know that I have sent you - this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue , ” says the LORD of Hosts.
“ My covenant with him was (one) of life and peace , which I gave it called for reverence , and he revered Me and stood in awe ... ... of My name.
True instruction was in his mouth , and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness , and he turned many from iniquity.
For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge , and people should seek instruction from his mouth , because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.
But you have departed from the way , and your instruction has caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi , ” says the LORD of Hosts.
“ So I in turn have made - you despised and humiliated before all the people , because - you have not kept - My ways , but have shown partiality ... in matters of the law. ”
Do we not all have one Father ? Did not one God create us ? Why then do we break faith with one another so as to profane the covenant of our fathers ?
Judah has broken faith ; an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god.
(As) for the man who does this , may the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob (everyone who is) awake and aware — even if he brings an offering to the LORD of Hosts.
And this is another thing you do : You cover the altar of the LORD with tears , - with weeping and groaning , because He no longer regards ... your offerings or receives them gladly from your hands.
Yet you ask , “ Why ... ? ” It is because ... the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth , against whom you have broken faith though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.
Has not (the LORD) made them one , having a portion of the Spirit And why one ? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth.
“ For I hate divorce , ” says the LORD , the God of Israel. “ He (who divorces his wife) covers his garment with violence , ” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith.
You have wearied the LORD with your words ; yet you ask , “ How have we wearied Him ? ” By saying , “ All who do evil (are) good in the sight of the LORD , He delights , ” or , “ Where is the God of justice ? ”