Malachi:1

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* The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi . * "I have loved you ," says the LORD . "Yet you say , "In what way have You loved us ?' Was not Esau Jacob 's brother ?" Says the LORD . "Yet Jacob I have loved ; * But Esau I have hated , And laid waste his mountains and his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness ." * Even though Edom has said , "We have been impoverished , But we will return and build the desolate places ," Thus says the LORD of hosts : "They may build , but I will throw down ; They shall be called the Territory of Wickedness , And the people against whom the LORD will have indignation forever . * Your eyes shall see , And you shall say , "The LORD is magnified beyond the border of Israel .' * "A son honors his father , And a servant his master . If then I am the Father , Where is My honor ? And if I am a Master , Where is My reverence ? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name . Yet you say , "In what way have we despised Your name ?' * "You offer defiled food on My altar , But say , "In what way have we defiled You ?' By saying , "The table of the LORD is contemptible .' * And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice , Is it not evil ? And when you offer the lame and sick , Is it not evil ? Offer it then to your governor ! Would he be pleased with you ? Would he accept you favorably ?" Says the LORD of hosts . * "But now entreat God 's favor , That He may be gracious to us . While this is being done by your hands , Will He accept you favorably ?" Says the LORD of hosts . * "Who is there even among you who would shut the doors , So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain ? I have no pleasure in you ," Says the LORD of hosts , "Nor will I accept an offering from your hands . * For from the rising of the sun , even to its going down , My name shall be great among the Gentiles ; In every place incense shall be offered to My name , And a pure offering ; For My name shall be great among the nations ," Says the LORD of hosts . * "But you profane it , In that you say , "The table of the LORD is defiled ; And its fruit , its food , is contemptible .' * You also say , "Oh , what a weariness !' And you sneer at it ," Says the LORD of hosts . "And you bring the stolen , the lame , and the sick ; Thus you bring an offering ! Should I accept this from your hand ?" Says the LORD . * "But cursed be the deceiver Who has in his flock a male , And takes a vow , But sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished -- For I am a great King ," Says the LORD of hosts , "And My name is to be feared among the nations .

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