6. For I, the Lord, do not change,and you, sons of Jacob, do not cease to be.
7. Since the days of your ancestors you have turned asidefrom my statutes and have not kept them.Return to me, that I may return to you,says the Lord of hosts.But you say, “Why should we return?”
8. Can anyone rob God? But you are robbing me!And you say, “How have we robbed you?”Of tithes and contributions!
9. You are indeed accursed,for you, the whole nation, rob me.
10. Bring the whole titheinto the storehouse,That there may be food in my house.Put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts,And see if I do not open the floodgates of heaven for you,and pour down upon you blessing without measure!
11. I will rebuke the locust for youso that it will not destroy your crops,And the vine in the field will not be barren,says the Lord of hosts.
12. All the nations will call you blessed,for you will be a delightful land,says the Lord of hosts.
13. Your words are too much for me, says the Lord.You ask, “What have we spoken against you?”
14. You have said, “It is useless to serve God;what do we gain by observing God’s requirements,And by going about as mournersbefore the Lord of hosts?