Malachi 2
1. And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.
2. If ye will not hear * , and if ye will not lay * it to heart, to give * glory unto my name, saith * the LORD of hosts, I will even send * a curse upon you, and I will curse * your blessings: yea, I have cursed * them already, because ye do not lay * it to heart.
3. Behold, I will corrupt * your seed, and spread * dung upon your faces,even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away * with it.
4. And ye shall know * that I have sent * this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith * the LORD of hosts.
5. My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave * them to him for the fear wherewith he feared * me, and was afraid * before my name.
6. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found * in his lips: he walked * with me in peace and equity, and did turn * 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 the LORD of hosts.
8. But ye are departed * out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble * at the law; ye have corrupted * the covenant of Levi, saith * the LORD of hosts.
9. Therefore have I also made * you contemptible * and base before all the people,according as ye have not kept * my ways, but have been partial * in the law.
10. Have we not all one father? hath not one God created * us? why do we deal treacherously * every man against his brother, by profaning * the covenant of our fathers?
11. Judah hath dealt treacherously * , and an abomination is committed * in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned * the holiness of the LORD which he loved * , and hath married * the daughter of a strange god.
12. The LORD will cut off * the man that doeth * this, the master * and the scholar * , out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth * an offering unto the LORD of hosts.
13. And this have ye done * again, covering * the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out,insomuch that he regardeth * not the offering any more, or receiveth * it with good will at your hand.
14. Yet ye say * , Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness * between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously * : yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
15. And did not he make * one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek * a godly seed. Therefore take heed * to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously * against the wife of his youth.
16. For the LORD, the God of Israel,saith * that he hateth * putting away * : for one covereth * violence with his garment, saith * the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed * to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously * .
17. Ye have wearied * the LORD with your words. Yet ye say * , Wherein have we wearied * him? When ye say * , Every one that doeth * evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth * in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?
