Malachi 1:1-8 ▼

1 THE vision of the words of the LORD concerning Israel by Malachi.

2 I have loved you, says the LORD. But you say, In what way hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? says the LORD; yet I have loved Jacob, and I have not favored Esau;

3 And I have made his mountains waste and his heritage for camps of shepherds in the wilderness.

4 And if the Edomites say, We are impoverished, but let us return and build the desolate places; thus says the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will demolish; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness and, The people against whom the LORD is angry for ever.

5 And your eyes shall see it, and you shall say, The LORD will be magnified beyond the border of Israel.

6 A son honors his father, and a servant his master; if then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. And if you say, In what have we despised thy name?

7 In that you offer polluted bread upon my altar; and if you say, In what have we polluted it? In that you say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

8 And when you offer a blind animal to the altar, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick animals, is it not evil? Offer it now to your governor; will he be pleased with you or accept your person? says the LORD of hosts.