¹³ This is another thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with your tears. You ·cry [weep] and moan, because he does not ·accept [look with favor on] your offerings and is not pleased with what you bring. ¹⁴ You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord ·sees how you treated [^Lis the witness between you and] the wife ·you married when you were young [^Lof your youth]. You ·broke your promise [have been unfaithful] to her, even though she was your partner and ·you had an agreement with her [your wife by solemn covenant]. ¹⁵ ·God made [^LDid not God make…?] husbands and wives to become one body and one spirit for his purpose—so they would have ·children who are true to God [godly offspring].

So ·be careful [^Lguard yourself in your spirit], and do not ·break your promise [be unfaithful] to the wife ·you married when you were young [^Lof your youth].

¹⁶ The Lord God of Israel says, “·I hate divorce. And I hate the person who [or The one who hates and divorces] ·does cruel things as easily as he puts on clothes [^Lcovers his clothes in violence],” says the Lord ·All-Powerful [Almighty; of Heaven’s Armies; ^Tof hosts].

So be ·careful [on your guard]. And do not ·break your trust [be unfaithful].