Malachi 1:1-10 ▼

1 This is the burden (burden) of the word of the LORD {YHWH} to Israel (he wrestles with God) through Malachi (My messenger):

2 “I have loved you⁺,” says the LORD {YHWH}. But you⁺ ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau (hairy) Jacob’s (he grasps the heel) brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved,

3 but Esau (hairy) I have hated , and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals (to the serpents of the wilderness).

4 Though Edom (red) may say, “We have been devastated, but we will rebuild the ruins,” this is what the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts says: “They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Land of Wickedness, and a people with whom the LORD is indignant forever.

5 You will see this with your⁺ own eyes, and you⁺ yourselves will say, ‘The LORD {YHWH} is great—even beyond the borders of Israel (he wrestles with God).’”

6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts to you⁺ priests who despise My name. “But you⁺ ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’

7 By presenting defiled food on My altar. But you⁺ ask, ‘How have we defiled You [defiled it] By saying that the table of the LORD {YHWH} is contemptible.

8 When you⁺ offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you⁺ present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts.

9 “But ask now for God’s favor. Will He be gracious? Since this has come from your⁺ hands, will He show you⁺ favor?” asks the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts.

10 “Oh, that one of you⁺ would shut the temple doors, so that you⁺ would no longer kindle useless fires on My altar! I take no pleasure in you⁺,” says the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts, “and I will accept no offering from your⁺ hands.