^2:7For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge of sacred things, and people should seek instruction from him⁸ because he is the messenger of the Lord who rules over all. ^2:8You, however, have turned from the way. You have caused many to violate the law;⁹ you have corrupted the covenant with Levi,”¹⁰ says the Lord who rules over all.

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Footnotes

8 Heb “from his mouth” (so , , ).
9 The definite article embedded within בַּתּוֹרָה (battorah) may suggest that the Torah is in mind and not just “ordinary” priestly instruction, though it might refer to the instruction previously mentioned (v. 7).
10 Or “the Levitical covenant.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts,

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord Almighty.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

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

“You, on the other hand, have turned from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have violated the covenant of Levi,” says the Lord of Armies.

NLTNew Living Translation

“The words of a priest’s lips should preserve knowledge of God, and people should go to him for instruction, for the priest is the messenger of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. But you priests have left God’s paths. Your instructions have caused many to stumble into sin. You have corrupted the covenant I made with the Levites,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

For the lips of the priest should guard knowledge, and they should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of Yahweh of hosts. But you, you have turned from the way; you have caused many to stumble by your instruction; you have ruined the covenant of Levi,” says Yahweh of hosts.

KJV 1900King James Version

For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge,

And they should seek the law at his mouth:

For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

But ye are departed out of the way;

Ye have caused many to stumble at the law;

Ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts.

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