Malachi 1:6–11

Disobedience of the Priests

⁶“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me? ^osays Yahweh of Hosts to you priests, who despise My name.”

Yet you ask: “How have we despised Your name?”

⁷“By presenting defiled food on My altar.”

You ask: “How have we defiled You?” ^p

When you say: “The Lord’s table is contemptible.” ^q

⁸“When you present a blind animal for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present a lame or sick animal, is it not wrong? ^rBring it to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the Lord of Hosts. ⁹“And now ask for God’s favor. Will He be gracious to us? ^sSince this has come from your hands, will He show any of you favor?” ^tasks the Lord of Hosts. ¹⁰“I wish one of you would shut the temple doors, ^uso you would no longer kindle a useless fire on My altar! ^vI am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of Hosts, “and I will accept ^wno offering from your hands. ^x

¹¹“For My name will be great among the nations, ^yfrom the rising of the sun to its setting. Incense ^zand pure offerings will be presented in My name in every place because My name will be great among the nations,” ^asays Yahweh of Hosts.