Malachi 1

¹The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi .

²I have loved you, says the Lord. But you say , How have you loved us? Is not Esau Jacob’s brother ? declares the Lord. Yet I have loved Jacob

³but Esau I have hated . I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert .

⁴If Edom says , We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins , the Lord of hosts says , They may build , but I will tear down , and they will be called the wicked country , and the people with whom the Lord is angry forever .

⁵Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say , Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel !

⁶A 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 . But you say , How have we despised your name ?

⁷By offering polluted food upon my altar . But you say , How have we polluted you? By saying that the Lord ’s table may be despised .

⁸When you offer blind animals in sacrifice , is that not evil ? And when you offer those that are lame or sick , is that not evil ? Present that to your governor ; will he accept you or show you favor ? says the Lord of hosts .

⁹And 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 .

¹⁰Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors , that you might not kindle fire on 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 .

¹¹For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations , and in every place incense will be offered to my name , and a pure offering . For my name will be great among the nations , says the Lord of hosts .

¹²But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s Lord’s table is polluted , and its fruit , that is, its food may be despised .

¹³But you say , What a weariness this is, and you snort at it, 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.

¹⁴Cursed 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 will be feared among the nations .