The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Malachi 2
1 “Now, you priests, this commandment
is for you.
2 If you will not listen, and if you will
not take it to heart, to give glory to my
name,” says Yahweh of Armies, “then I will
send the curse on you, and I will curse
your blessings. Indeed,I have cursed them
already, because you donottake itto heart.
3 Behold, I will rebuke your offspring,†
and will spread dung on your faces, even
the dung of your feasts; and you will be
taken away with it.
4 You will know that I have sent this
commandment to you, that my covenant
may be with Levi,” says Yahweh of Armies.
5 “My covenant was with him of life and
peace; and I gave them to him that he
might be reverent toward me; and he was
reverent toward me, and stood in awe of
my name.
6 The law of truth was in his mouth,
and unrighteousness was not found in his
lips. He walked with me in peace and
uprightness, and turned many away from
iniquity.
7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge,
and they should seek the law at his
mouth; for he is the messenger of Yahweh
of Armies.
8 But you have turned away from the
path. You have caused many to stumble in
the law. You have corrupted the covenant
of Levi,” says Yahweh of Armies.
9 “Therefore I have also made you contemptible
and wicked before all the people, according
to the way you havenot kept my ways, but
have had respect for persons in the law.
10 Don’t we all have one father? Hasn’t
one God created us? Why do we deal
treacherously every man against his
brother, profaning the covenant of our
fathers?
11 Judah has dealt treacherously, and an
abomination is committed in Israel and
in Jerusalem; for Judah has profaned the
holiness of Yahweh which he loves, and
has married the daughter of a foreign god.
12 Yahweh will cut off the man who
does this, him who wakes and him who
answers, out of the tents of Jacob and
him who offers an offering to Yahweh of
Armies.
13 “This again you do: you cover Yahweh’s
altar with tears, with weeping, and
with sighing, because he doesn’t regard
the offering any more, neither receives it
with good will at your hand.
14 Yet you say, ‘Why?’ Because Yahweh
has been witness between you and
the wife of your youth, against whom
you have dealt treacherously, though she
is your companion and the wife of your
covenant.
15 Did he not make you one, although
he had the residue of the Spirit? Why
one? He sought godly offspring. Therefore
take heed to your spirit, and let no one
deal treacherously against the wife of his
youth.
16 One who hates and divorces”, says
Yahweh, the God of Israel, “covers his
garment with violence!” says Yahweh of
Armies. “Therefore pay attention to your
spirit, that you don’t be unfaithful.
17 You have wearied Yahweh with your
words. Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied him?’
In that you say, ‘Everyone who
does evil is good in Yahweh’s sight, and he
delights in them;’ or ‘Where is the God of
justice?’