Malachi 3:5-6

3:5 “I ¹  will come to you in judgment. I will be quick to testify against those who practice divination, those who commit adultery, those who break promises, ²  and those who exploit workers, widows, and orphans, ³  who refuse to help ⁴  the immigrant ⁵  and in this way show they do not fear me,” says the Lord who rules over all.

Resistance to the Lord through Selfishness

3:6 “Since, I, the Lord, do not go back on my promises, ⁶  you, sons of Jacob, have not perished.

[3:5]  ¹ tn The first person pronoun (a reference to the Lord) indicates that the Lord himself now speaks (see also v. 1). The prophet speaks in vv. 2-4 (see also 2:17).

[3:5]  ² tn Heb “those who swear [oaths] falsely.” Cf. NIV “perjurers”; TEV “those who give false testimony”; NLT “liars.”

[3:5]  ³ tn Heb “and against the oppressors of the worker for a wage, [the] widow and orphan.”

[3:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “those who turn aside.”

[3:5]  ⁵ tn Or “resident foreigner”; NIV “aliens”; NRSV “the alien.”

[3:6]  ⁶ tn Heb “do not change.” This refers to God’s ongoing commitment to his covenant promises to Israel.