Malachi 2

A Warning to the Priests

1 “Now this command is for you, priests.

2 If you do not listen, and if you do not take it serious and honor My name,” says the LORD of armies, “I will send a curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. I have already cursed them, because you have not taken Me serious.

3 I will rebuke your descendants, and I will smear refuse from your own sacrifices on your faces, and you will be carried off with it.

4 Then you will know I sent this command so My covenant with Levi would stand,” says the LORD of armies.

5 “My covenant with him was about life and peace. I gave him those things, and he feared Me. He respected My name.

6 True teaching was in his mouth. Nothing crooked came from his lips. He walked with Me in peace and honesty, and he turned many away from sin.

7 A priest’s lips should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from him, because he is the messenger of the LORD of armies.

8 But you turned away from that path. You caused many to stumble by your teaching. You corrupted the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of armies.

9 “So I have made you despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not kept My ways and you show favoritism when you teach the law.”

Unfaithfulness in Marriage

10 Do we not all have one Father, Did not one God create us, So why are we betraying each other and breaking the covenant of our fathers,

11 Judah has been unfaithful. A disgusting thing has been done in Israel and in Jerusalem. Judah has dishonored the sanctuary the LORD loves by marrying women who worship other gods.

12 May the LORD cut off from the tents of Jacob anyone who does this, even if he brings offerings to the LORD of armies.

13 Here is another thing you do: You flood the LORD’s altar with tears. You cry and groan because He no longer accepts your offerings.

14 And you ask, “Why?” Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife you married when you were young. You have been unfaithful to her, even though she is your partner, your wife by covenant.

15 Did not God make them one, with His Spirit in that union, And what was He looking for, Godly children. So guard your spirit, and do not be unfaithful to the wife you married when you were young.

16 “I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “And I hate when a man covers himself with violence like it is clothing,” says the LORD of armies. So guard your spirit, and do not betray your wife.

Israel Wearies the LORD

17 You have worn out the LORD with your words. But you say, “How have we worn Him out?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the LORD’s sight, and He has pleased with them,” or by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”