Malachi 2:1-9 ▼

1 Now this commandment is for you priests:

2 |If you don't listen, and if you don't choose to give honor to my name,| says the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, |then I'll curse both you and your blessings. I've even cursed them already, because none of you are taking it to heart.

3 Look! I'm rebuking your descendants because of you, and I'll spread waste on your faces, the waste of your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it.

4 |You will know that I sent this commandment to you in order to continue my covenant with Levi,| says the LORD of the Heavenly Armies.

5 |My covenant with him was for life and peace, and I gave the commandments to him so he would fear me. He did fear me as he stood in my presence.

6 True teachings were in his mouth, and falsehood was not found on his lips. He walked with me peacefully and righteously, and he turned many from sin.

7 For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he's the messenger of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies.

8 |But you priests turned aside from the way, and by your teaching you caused many to stumble. You have violated the covenant of Levi,| says the LORD of the Heavenly Armies.

9 |So I also made you despised, humiliating you before all of the people, because you aren't following my ways and are showing partiality when you teach.|