<p class="bodytext">Then those who respected<n id="1" /> the <sc>Lordsc> spoke to one another, and the <sc>Lordsc> took notice.<n id="2" /> A scroll<n id="3" /> was prepared before him in which were recorded the names of those who respected the <sc>Lordsc> and honored his name.

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;I have shown love to you,&#8221; says the <sc>Lord,sc> but you say, &#8220;How have you shown love to us?&#8221;p> <p class="bodytext">&#8220;Esau was Jacob&#8217;s brother,&#8221; the <sc>Lordsc> explains, &#8220;yet I chose Jacob

&#8220;I hate divorce,&#8221;<n id="1" /> says the <sc>Lordsc> God of Israel, &#8220;and the one who is guilty of violence,&#8221;<n id="2" /> says the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all. &#8220;Pay attention to your conscience, and do not be unfaithful.&#8221;p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">What follows is divine revelation.<n id="1" /> The word of the <sc>Lordsc> came to Israel through Malachi:<n id="2" />p>

Your eyes will see it, and then you will say, &#8216;May the <sc>Lordsc> be magnified<n id="1" /> even beyond the border of Israel!&#8217;&#8221;p>

The offerings<n id="1" /> of Judah and Jerusalem<n id="2" /> will be pleasing to the <sc>Lordsc> as in former times and years past.p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">&#8220;Since, I, the <sc>Lordsc>, do not go back on my promises,<n id="1" /> you, sons of Jacob, have not perished.

&#8220;All nations will call you happy, for you indeed will live in<n id="1" /> a delightful land,&#8221; says the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all.p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">&#8220;You have criticized me sharply,&#8221;<n id="1" /> says the <sc>Lordsc>, &#8220;but you ask, &#8216;How have we criticized you?&#8217;

<p class="bodytext">Edom<n id="1" /> says, &#8220;Though we are devastated, we will once again build the ruined places.&#8221; So the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all<n id="2" /> responds, &#8220;They indeed may build, but I will overthrow. They will be known as<n id="3" /> the land of evil, the people with whom the <sc>Lordsc> is permanently displeased.

You also say, &#8216;How tiresome it is.&#8217; You turn up your nose at it,&#8221; says the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all, &#8220;and instead bring what is stolen, lame, or sick. You bring these things for an offering! Should I accept this from you?&#8221;<n id="1" /> asks the <sc>Lordsc>.

<t /><p class="bodytext">You have wearied the <sc>Lordsc> with your words. But you say, &#8220;How have we wearied him?&#8221; Because you say, &#8220;Everyone who does evil is good in the Lord&#8217;s opinion,<n id="1" /> and he delights in them,&#8221; or &#8220;Where is the God of justice?&#8221;

You are offering improper sacrifices on my altar, yet you ask, &#8216;How have we offended you?&#8217; By treating the table<n id="1" /> of the <sc>Lordsc> as if it is of no importance!

But now plead for God&#8217;s favor<n id="1" /> that he might be gracious to us.<n id="2" /> &#8220;With this kind of offering in your hands, how can he be pleased with you?&#8221; asks the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all.p>

Then you will know that I sent this commandment to you so that my covenant<n id="1" /> may continue to be with Levi,&#8221; says the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all.

For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge of sacred things, and people should seek instruction from him<n id="1" /> because he is the messenger of the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all.

You, however, have turned from the way. You have caused many to violate the law;<n id="1" /> you have corrupted the covenant with Levi,&#8221;<n id="2" /> says the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all.

Judah has become disloyal, and unspeakable sins have been committed in Israel and Jerusalem.<n id="1" /> For Judah has profaned<n id="2" /> the holy things that the <sc>Lordsc> loves and has turned to a foreign god!<n id="3" />

<p class="bodytext">You also do this: You cover the altar of the <sc>Lordsc> with tears<n id="1" /> as you weep and groan, because he no longer pays any attention to the offering nor accepts it favorably from you.

He will act like a refiner and purifier of silver and will cleanse the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will offer the <sc>Lordsc> a proper offering.