Malachi 2:1-11 ▼

1 NOW therefore, O priests, this commandment is for you.

2 If you will not obey, and if you will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name, says the LORD of hosts, I will send curses upon you, and I will curse your blessings because you have not laid it to your heart.

3 Behold, I will rebuke the seed of the ground, and spread dung upon your faces, even dung upon your solemn feasts; and I will cause you to be taken away with it.

4 And you shall know that I have sent this commandment to you, that my covenant might be with Levi, says the LORD of hosts.

5 My covenant was with him, and I gave him life and peace; and as for fear, he feared me and trembled before my name.

6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips; he walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he did turn many away from iniquity.

7 For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, because men seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

8 But you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble at the law; you have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts.

9 Therefore have I also made you contemptible and humiliated before all the people, because you have not kept the ordinances, but have been partial in the law.

10 Have we not all one father? Or has not one God created us? Why then do we deal treacherously every man against his brother by profaning the covenant of our fathers?

11 Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD of hosts and has loved and served foreign gods.