1. The burden of the word of Jehovah to Israel by Malachi.
2. I have loved you, saith Jehovah; but ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith Jehovah, and I loved Jacob,
3. and I hated Esau; and made his mountains a desolation, and gave his inheritance to the jackals of the wilderness.
4. If Edom say, We are broken down, but we will build again the ruined places, --thus saith Jehovah of hosts: They shall build, but I will throw down; and men shall call them the territory of wickedness, and the people against whom Jehovah hath indignation for ever.
5. And your eyes shall see it, and ye shall say, Jehovah is magnified beyond the border of Israel.
6. A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith Jehovah of hosts unto you, priests, that despise my name. But ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
7. Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of Jehovah is contemptible.
8. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Present it now unto thy governor: will he be pleased with thee? or will he accept thy person? saith Jehovah of hosts.
9. And now, I pray you, beseech ·God that he will be gracious unto us. This hath been of your hand: will he accept any of your persons? saith Jehovah of hosts.