Malachi 2:1-9 ▼

1 And now, priests, this commandment is for you: If you do not listen,

2 And if you do not take to heart giving honor to my name, says the LORD of hosts, I will send a curse upon you and your blessing I will curse. In fact, I have already cursed it, because you do not take it to heart.

3 I will rebuke your offspring; I will spread dung on your faces, Dung from your feasts, and will carry you to it.

4 You should know that I sent you this commandment so that my covenant with Levi might endure, says the LORD of hosts.

5 My covenant with him was the life and peace which I gave him, and the fear he had for me, standing in awe of my name.

6 Reliable instruction was in his mouth, no perversity was found upon his lips; He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and turned many away from evil.

7 For a priest’s lips preserve knowledge, and instruction is to be sought from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

8 But you have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to stumble by your instruction; You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts.

9 I, therefore, have made you contemptible and base before all the people, For you do not keep my ways, but show partiality in your instruction.