Malachi 2

1Now, priests, this command is for you.

2If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says Yahweh of Armies, I will send the curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. In fact, I have already cursed them, because you are not taking it to heart.

3I am going to rebuke your seed, and I will spread dung on your faces, the dung of your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off to it.

4Then you will know that I sent you this command so that my covenant with Levi may stand, says Yahweh of Armies.

5My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him so that he would fear me. He did fear me, and he stood in awe before my name.

6True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many away from iniquity.

7For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of Yahweh of Armies.

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

9So I in turn have made you despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not kept my ways but have shown partiality in your instruction.

10Do we not all have one father? Did not one God create us? Why then are we faithless to one another, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?

11Judah has been faithless, and a detestable thing has been done in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned what is holy to Yahweh, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god.

12May Yahweh cut off from the tents of Jacob the man who does this, whoever he may be, even if he brings an offering to Yahweh of Armies.

13Here is another thing you do: you cover Yahweh’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning, because he no longer pays attention to the offering or accepts it with favor from your hands.

14You ask, “Why?” It is because Yahweh has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.

15Did he not make them one, with a portion of spirit belonging to it? And what was the one seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let no one be faithless to the wife of your youth.

16For he hates divorce, says Yahweh, the God of Israel, and covering one’s garment with violence, says Yahweh of Armies. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.

17You have wearied Yahweh with your words. But you say, “How have we wearied him?” By saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in Yahweh’s sight, and he delights in them,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”