1Malachi 1

1I am Malachi. And this is the message that the Lord gave me for Israel.Select Malachi 1:1

The 's Love for Israel

2Israel, I, the Lord, have loved you. And yet you ask in what way have I loved you. Don't forget that Esau was the brother of your ancestor Jacob, but I chose JacobSelect Malachi 1:2

3instead of Esau. And I turned Esau's hill country into a barren desert where jackals roam.Select Malachi 1:3

4Esau's descendants may say, “Although our nation Edom is in ruins, we will rebuild it.” But I, the Lord All-Powerful, promise to tear down whatever they build. Then everyone will know that I will never stop being angry with them as long as they are so sinful.Select Malachi 1:4

5Israel, when you see this, you will shout, “The Lord's great reputation reaches beyond our borders.”Select Malachi 1:5

Judgment against Priests

6I, the Lord All-Powerful, have something to say to you priests. Children respect their fathers, and servants respect their masters. I am your father and your master, so why don't you respect me? You priests have insulted me, and now you ask, “How did we insult you?”Select Malachi 1:6

7You embarrass me by offering worthless food on my altar. Then you ask, “How have we embarrassed you?” You have done it by saying, “What's so great about the Lord's altar?”Select Malachi 1:7

8But isn't it wrong to offer animals that are blind, lame, or sick? Just try giving those animals to your governor. That certainly wouldn't please him or make him want to help you.Select Malachi 1:8

9I am the Lord God All-Powerful, and you had better try to please me. You have sinned. Now see if I will have mercy on any of you.Select Malachi 1:9

10I wish someone would lock the doors of my temple, so you would stop wasting time building fires on my altar. I am not pleased with you priests, and I refuse to accept any more of your offerings.Select Malachi 1:10

11From dawn until dusk my name is praised by every nation on this earth, as they burn incense and offer the proper sacrifices to me.Select Malachi 1:11

12But even you priests insult me by saying, “There's nothing special about the Lord's altar, and these sacrifices are worthless.”Select Malachi 1:12

13You get so disgusted that you even make vulgar signs at me. And for an offering, you bring stolen animals or those that are lame or sick. Should I accept these?Select Malachi 1:13

14Instead of offering the acceptable animals you have promised, you bring me those that are unhealthy. I will punish you for this, because I am the great King, the Lord All-Powerful, and I am worshiped by nations everywhere.Select Malachi 1:14