Malachi 2

Malachi 2:1

"And now this decree is for you, O priests:

Malachi 2:1 · BSB

Malachi 2:2

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 among you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already begun to curse them, because you are not taking it to heart.

Malachi 2:2 · BSB

Malachi 2:3

Behold, I will rebuke your descendants, and I will spread dung on your faces, the waste from your feasts, and you will be carried off with it.

Malachi 2:3 · BSB

corrupt or reprove

one shall take you away with it or , it shall take you away to it

Malachi 2:4

Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue," says the LORD of Hosts.

Malachi 2:4 · BSB

Malachi 2:5

"My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name.

Malachi 2:5 · BSB

Malachi 2:6

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.

Malachi 2:6 · BSB

Malachi 2:7

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.

Malachi 2:7 · BSB

Malachi 2:8

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.

Malachi 2:8 · BSB

stumble at or , fall in

Malachi 2:9

"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."

Malachi 2:9 · BSB

Malachi 2:10

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?

Malachi 2:10 · BSB

Malachi 2:11

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.

Malachi 2:11 · BSB

loved or , ought to love

Malachi 2:12

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.

Malachi 2:12 · BSB

Malachi 2:13

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.

Malachi 2:13 · BSB

Malachi 2:14

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.

Malachi 2:14 · BSB

Malachi 2:15

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.

Malachi 2:15 · BSB

residue or , excellency

treacherously or , unfaithfully

Malachi 2:16

"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.

Malachi 2:16 · BSB

that he hateth putting away or , if he hate her , put her away , Heb. to put away

Malachi 2:17

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, and in them He delights," or, "Where is the God of justice?"

Malachi 2:17 · BSB