Malachi 1

The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

The heavy message from God to Israel, delivered through Malachi.

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,

The Lord declares, "I have always loved you." But you question, "How have you shown us love?" Even though Esau was Jacob's brother, it was Jacob whom I cherished.

And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

But Esau I hated, reducing his mountains and his lands to ruins, and leaving them to the wild beasts of the desert.

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.

Even though Edom declares, "We are poor, but we will rebuild our ruined places," God responds, "Yes, they may rebuild, but I will tear it down again." They will be known as 'The Land of Evil,' and 'The People with whom God is Forever Angry.'

And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.

You will witness with your own eyes and declare, God's greatness expands beyond the edges of Israel.

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?

A child shows respect to his dad, and a worker to his boss. So if I'm your Father, why don't you respect me? If I'm your Master, why don't you fear me? says the Lord. You, priests, who disregard my name, ask, "How have we disrespected you?"

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.

You disrespectfully present tainted offerings on my altar, then question how you've wronged me. It's in your dismissive attitude towards the Lord's table.

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.

Isn't it wrong to offer something flawed, like a blind sacrifice? Isn't it equally wrong to offer something weak or sick? Try giving such offerings to your leader; would they be happy or accept you? This is what the Lord Almighty asks.

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.

Please, I urge you, ask God to show us mercy. But since this has come from your own hands, will He show you any favor? asks the Lord Almighty.

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.

Is there anyone among you who would close the doors without reason? Or light a fire on my altar without purpose? I, the Lord of all, find no joy in you, nor will I accept your offerings.

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.

From dawn to dusk, my name will be respected worldwide. Everywhere, people will honor me with their offerings because my name is revered by all, declares the Lord of all.

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.

But you've disrespected it, claiming God's table is tainted and the food offered on it is worthless.

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.

You've complained, "This is so tiring!" You've even scoffed at it, says the Lord. You've brought me damaged, lame, and sick offerings. Is this what you think I deserve? Should I accept such gifts from you? asks the Lord.

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.

Cursed is the cheat who has a healthy male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices something tainted to the Lord. For I am a mighty King, says the Lord, and my name strikes fear among the nations.