1 The
burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. 2 I
have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us?
Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, 3 And
I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons
of the wilderness. 4 Whereas
Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate
places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw
down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people
against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever. 5 And
your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from
the border of Israel. 6 A
son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father,
where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the
LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein
have we despised thy name? 7 Ye
offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted
thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.
8
And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer
the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will
he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. 9 And
now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath
been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts. 10 Who
is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do
ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith
the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. 11 For
from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name
shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered
unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the
heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. 12 But
ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted;
and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible. 13 Ye
said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith
the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and
the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand?
saith the LORD. 14 But
cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and
sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith
the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen.